Phytobase offers heart healthy Mothers Day chocolate

Orem, UT - Phytobase, US leader in indulgent and healthy organic dark chocolate has created the perfect Mother’s Day gift designed to keep mothers young at heart.

Amoriss ™ combines rich dark chocolate infused with healthy superfoods. These bite-sized organic dark chocolates are infused with red wine extract, resveratrol (the “French Paradox”) and an exotic blend of antioxidant-rich superfoods, namely açai, mangosteen, pomegranates, goji and rhodiola rosea. The Phytobase chocolatiers designed them to promote a healthy heart, longer life and stronger immune system; a perfect gift for a perfect Mom. With just 56 calories, Amoriss is also a delicious guilt-free indulgence. Each chocolate is individually wrapped in festive purple-red foil.

“Amoriss is an ultimate feast of the senses with amazing heart-healthy, longevity and anti-aging benefits,” said company CEO Sam Gur.

Consumer interest in functional chocolate has boomed. Barry Callebaut in 2006 surveyed Americans about their preferences for such chocolate. The survey concluded that consumers are convinced that chocolate has a positive impact upon their health. In fact, four out of ten Americans (43%) would purchase chocolate that offers health benefits and nearly half (45%) would pay more for products promising such benefits.

Chocolate manufacturers have been jumping on the functional confectionery wagon. Of the 1,338 new confectionery products launched in 2007, 638 (48%) make health claims, according to Mintel’s Global New Product Database.

Sales of Mother’s Day chocolate are hard to determine. IRI lumps Mother’s Day chocolate sales into the “all other” seasonal segment, although these sales are probably the segment’s largest component. The All Other segment comprises only 1% of the entire chocolate seasonal category, dwarfed by the largest segment, Easter chocolate, with a 39% market share. All Other chocolate sales in 2006 were $7.5 million, a drop of 32% from the prior year. This category has sunk 20% each year on average for the past five years.

With Amoriss, Phytobase is attempting to extend the functional chocolate trend into the seasonal chocolate category, hoping that a gift of heart healthy chocolate will spur sales in an otherwise contracting niche. “This makes marketing sense, given that many functional chocolate consumers are ‘boomer’ moms“, says chocolate industry trend watcher Curtis Vreeland.

The company reports that melted Amoriss also can be applied as an antioxidant and moisturizing facial mask.

Packed with Healthy Ingredients
In addition to antioxidant-rich organic dark chocolate, Amoriss contains açai (packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids), mangosteen (an immune system booster and good for joint flexibility), resveratrol (antioxidant, cholesterol lowering and immune system balancing), goji (for longevity and strength building), pomegranate (antioxidant and cardio-vascular system support) and rhodiola rosea (boosts energy, enhances moods, mental well-being and alertness).

“Our challenge was to balance the mixture of functional ingredients without adversely affecting the rich chocolaty taste,” said Mr. Gur.

About Phytobase
Phytobase Nutritionals is a food technology company that specializes in developing cutting-edge functional foods and wellness products. In addition to Amoriss, the company’s functional chocolate line includes ChocoLeans, the first satiety dark chocolate designed to control the appetite, and Choconella, a dark chocolate bonbon designed to increase libido, vitality and mood support.

Availability
Amoriss is available in selected Whole Foods stores and at www.amoriss.com