Experience The DOVE® Chocolate Journey From Bean To Bar

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Unwrapping a DOVE® Chocolate Promise is a simple task taking only seconds, but to create what's inside is the end product of a journey beginning thousands of miles away. Guided by artisans passionate about making the finest, silky smooth chocolate, each step of the journey requires incredible attention to detail to create the signature flavor of DOVE® Chocolate – from hand selecting cacao beans for quality and flavor in Cote d'Ivoire, to a delicate roasting process rooted in European heritage.

To give fans an exclusive, inside look at the DOVE® Chocolate making journey, Mars Chocolate North America released three videos highlighting the transformation from bean to bar. With the help of Mars associates who are experts in the process, viewers will uncover the unrivalled craftsmanship and quality that goes into each bite of DOVE® Chocolate.

"Creating the number one pure dark chocolate brand in the United States requires you to be passionate about your craft," said Kerry Cavanaugh, Brand Director, DOVE® Chocolate. "Our distinct bean to bar process allows us to have a consistent silky smooth taste – four to five cacao beans go into each DOVE® Chocolate Promise, and each one of those beans have been tested twice for quality and flavor. We're excited to share with consumers this intricate process, which includes roasting our own beans, and how selecting DOVE® Chocolate is choosing a dedication to craftsmanship."

One of the most important steps of the journey is to ensure the well-being and sustainability of the cocoa farmers. Mars recently pledged a donation of more than $1 million to CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, to empower female farmers in Cote d'Ivoire where cacao beans used to create DOVE® Chocolate are sourced. Together, DOVE® Chocolate and CARE provide on-the-ground training and support to provide more opportunities, financially and socially, for women to advance their role within the community. Experience has shown when women have more income, an increased proportion is invested in family and community, further extending these efforts and benefits to the next generation of cocoa farmers.   

Bean to Bar Journey
The digital video series unveils the bean to bar journey through the eyes of Ivorian-born Chef Morou Ouattara, executive chef and owner of Kora Restaurant in Crystal City, Va. Guided by Mars associates, Chef Morou is introduced to the important nuances involved in tasting and evaluating chocolate as well as the delicate process of creating DOVE® Chocolate. The first three videos of the series include:

• "The Tale Behind the Taste:" viewers are introduced to Chef Morou.  Chef learns  the signature flavor profile of DOVE® Chocolate from Lisa Schroeder, an Expert Taster at Mars Chocolate North America –  https://youtu.be/5Qn9pu9jnvM
• "Roast: It's all About the Bean:" Barry Glazier, a DOVE® Chocolate Master Craftsman, shares with Chef Morou how DOVE® Chocolate uses traditional European roasting techniques –https://youtu.be/sjL0E7qKIyE
• "The Art of Process:" Chef Morou learns from Glazier how the distinctive DOVE® Chocolate artisan bean-to-bar process creates the world's best silky smooth chocolate – https://youtu.be/vTjV5Ejhd1k

"It is remarkable to see how a cocoa bean from Cote D'Ivoire transforms into the silky smooth chocolate loved by so many," said Chef Morou. "Partnering with DOVE® Chocolate has introduced me to the important nuances involved in tasting and evaluating chocolate and provided me with inspiration for new flavors to serve at my restaurant."

The video series will continue in 2017 as Chef Morou travels to Cote d'Ivoire to learn how DOVE® Chocolate ensures responsible sourcing for cocoa beans. Additionally, he will interact directly with the farmers and witness first-hand how DOVE® Chocolate and CARE are working together to empower local communities.

For more information on the DOVE® Chocolate Bean to Bar campaign and to follow the progress of the DOVE® Chocolate and CARE partnership, please visit www.dovechocolatejourney.com, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. 

The DOVE® Chocolate Difference
From bean to bar, Mars Chocolate North America takes great care to maintain the highest standards of quality when crafting DOVE® Chocolate. Every batch of beans is carefully and thoroughly evaluated for flavor and quality for use in DOVE® Chocolate to ensure the authentic rich taste of the cocoa is enjoyed by consumers around the world.

It all starts with only the best cacao beans, which are tested twice by expert Mars Associate craftspeople for quality and flavor. The beans are then taken through special roasting and grinding techniques – a process rooted in European tradition - to create the signature silky smooth texture and great taste of DOVE® Chocolate. Finally, Mars adds the perfect combination of chocolate liquor and 100 percent pure cocoa butter to create a balanced taste that's not too sweet, nor too bitter.

About DOVE® Chocolate
From bean to bar, Mars Chocolate takes great care to maintain the highest standards of quality when creating DOVE® Chocolate. It all starts with only the best cacao beans, which are tested twice by expert Mars technicians for quality and flavor. The beans are then taken through special roasting and grinding techniques to create the signature silky smooth taste of DOVE® Chocolate. Finally, Mars adds the perfect combination of chocolate liquor and 100 percent pure cocoa butter to create a balanced taste that's not too sweet, nor too bitter. For more information about DOVE® Chocolate, visit dovechocolate.com, Facebook and Twitter.

About Mars, Incorporated
In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® and LIFESAVERS® mints.  Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars.

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SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America

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