Unboxed: Natural candy is a sweeter option for low-sugar, no-sugar and more guilt-free indulgence
Got a sweet tooth? These natural products brands have got your back, offering consumers healthier and more responsible versions of their favorite sweet treats.
![Unboxed: Natural candy is a sweeter option for low-sugar, no-sugar and more guilt-free indulgence Unboxed: Natural candy is a sweeter option for low-sugar, no-sugar and more guilt-free indulgence](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltd54f503931cdafa5/64ff19efc01322e44a952e8d/unboxed-candy-2_0.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Rich and chewy caramel is surrounded by an indulgent coating of 60% dark chocolate and crisped quinoa for these new and decadent sweets. Made with smooth and creamy coconut milk, these ultra-rich caramels are dairy free and USDA Organic.
Dark chocolate lovers will find this new 85% cacao bar impossible to resist. Not only is it certified organic, fair trade and gluten free, it’s also made in keeping with this Certified B Corp’s commitment to responsible and sustainable sourcing. This stunningly delicious bar has just a touch of raw cane sugar and only 4 grams of sugar per serving.
Coconuts, sea salt and macadamia nuts are enough to whisk consumers away to the islands for a guilt-free vacation indulging in these rich-tasting snack bars containing just 3 grams of net carbs and zero grams of sugar. With an extra boost of plant-based protein, each bar is also non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto friendly.
This women-owned company is dedicated to creating healthy versions of Asian-inspired candies based on a heirloom family recipe from China. This product is one of five flavors in this line of creamy, chewy taffies that also include a dairy-free Creamy Coconut, Caffeinated Coffee, Original Creme and Chocolate Milk with Peanuts.
Made with real oats, this delectable new flavor variety is one in a line of Certified Vegan chocolates that are so creamy, you’d never guess they were plant-based. Gluten-free organic rice crisps add texture to this Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade, 55% cocoa bar, of which 10% of profits go to support wildlife conservation.
Fans of this brand of low sugar candies asked for a better-for-you watermelon chew, and SmartSweets responded with these Sourmelon Bites. With just 3 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fiber and only 100 calories per bag, these sweet and sour candy bites are sweetened with allulose, stevia and monk fruit.
This brand-new bar forms part of the brand’s “Extra Dark Collection.” Made with rich, 85% chocolate sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australian sea salt and wonderfully buttery cashews, this low-sugar bar (just 4 grams per serving) is certified Fair For Life and USDA Organic, not to mention exquisitely good.
This brand-new bar forms part of the brand’s “Extra Dark Collection.” Made with rich, 85% chocolate sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australian sea salt and wonderfully buttery cashews, this low-sugar bar (just 4 grams per serving) is certified Fair For Life and USDA Organic, not to mention exquisitely good.
There’s no sugarcoating it. Sweets have gotten a bad rap in recent years thanks to the growing vilification of sugar and the havoc it can wreak not only on people’s waistlines and teeth, but also on their overall health.
It’s not all bad news for confections, however, as people still rely on these indulgences to satisfy their sweet tooth and provide comfort. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, for example, sales of natural shelf-stable candy spiked by 18.4%, according to year-over-year (YOY) category data from SPINS (Natural Enhanced Channel – SNE).
Overall, sales of shelf-stable candy have been charting a steady course of growth in the natural channel for the past couple of years, boasting an overall YOY dollar percent change of 13.4% between 2018-2019 and 3.5% between 2019-2020 (SNE).
Much of the success of natural confections has undoubtedly been driven by the myriad ways natural products brands have responded to consumers’ desire to find healthier, better-for you versions of their favorites treats. Confections that address the needs of certain dietary tribes, allergens or intolerances, and growing concerns about health and well-being are on the rise, as are those that offer the promise of functional add-ins or, as it were, sweets with benefits.
But the search for better sweets isn’t just about swapping out certain ingredients. It also involves making ingredient lists cleaner, simpler, more carefully sourced, more responsible and more sustainable. These values have been particularly embraced by natural chocolate brands, many of which have gone above and beyond to support transparent practices and bean-to-bar operations. Even better, brands frequently back these up with USDA Organic, Fair Trade and other certifications.
The following product gallery highlights one or more of the trends being embraced by natural confectionery brands today.
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