Chicago-based Mez Foods, the startup founded by brothers Ben and Bob Schultz, is making waves in both the chocolate and private label worlds right now with the launch of the company’s new line of mesquite chocolate bars.
The exploration of healthier, more sustainable chocolate manufacturing isn’t something new – just look at the Nestlé Sustainably Sourced line or the bean-to-bar chocolatier revolution for proof – but making chocolate without cocoa? Now things are getting interesting. Curious to see our innovative products? Check out our catalog for the latest in sustainable chocolate alternatives.
Along with beef, dairy, and coffee manufacturing, chocolate production is one of the most damaging to the environment thanks to its huge demand and extensive supply chains. Along with a hefty carbon footprint (much like the coffee industry), cocoa manufacturing is rivaled only by the beef industry when it comes to deforestation.
With experiences that cover product development, supply chain management, food science, and plant-based food manufacturing, the Schultz brothers recognized the opportunity to do something different by starting at the source of the product.
Mesquite is a desert shrub legume that encompasses over 40 separate different plant varieties. These plants thrive in harsh terrains, such as North and South America, East Asia, and North Africa, where little nourishment or water is available. As a legume, they fertilize their own growing environment by regulating the nitrogen in the soil it grows in.
While mesquite is popular as a source of flour in local cuisines where it is harvested, it’s still something a foreign ingredient in the food industry. As a result, the brothers had to rely on research from academic and scientific spheres instead of the food industry (along with a healthy amount of trial-and-error testing) to discover the chocolatey characteristics of the legume.
But the brothers found the flavor profile of mesquite unquestionable. Rich, sweet, and chocolatey, with a hint of cinnamon and toasted coconut. All without the bitterness of cocoa or the presence of stimulants like caffeine or theobromine.
For the moment, Mez Foods offers three bars
- Mellow Milk: A dairy-free milk chocolate taste-alike
- Warm Spices: Chocolate with cinnamon and cardamom
- Peanut Butter: Just a classic combination of classic favorites
In the Baking Aisle While Mez Foods is redefining the snack bar category with unique, sustainable ingredients, the traditional baking world is also seeing new innovations aimed at convenience. For home bakers looking for a quick but high-quality dessert option to pair with their chocolate, Bob’s Red Mill has just expanded its Signature Blends line. The brand’s latest release promises bakery-style results with minimal effort. Read the full details on the new Bob’s Red Mill Brown Sugar Blondie Mix.
The bars use illipe butter rather than cocoa butter as its fat source, along with fermented pea protein and other sustainably sourced ingredients. Nutritionally speaking, each bar contains 6-12 g of protein, 6 g fiber, and 15 g of sugar (of which 10 grams comes naturally from the mesquite).
The brothers took to local farmers markets to promote their chocolates and were welcomed to the community with open arms – and from our experiences at trade shows, we understand the impact of the community we form part of. The early feedback from local farmers and community members played a vital role in the crafting of a chocolate bar that offers all the taste of chocolate but in a greener and more sustainable manner.
The Schultz brothers’ journey into new ingredient territory is exactly the type of story Source86 live for.
It’s the exploration of new sources and new ingredients that transform our perception of the food industry and redefine the very food we eat as we’re writing this. Each discovery brings forth a fresh narrative, a new chapter in the story of culinary evolution.
This narrative is one we invite you to be a part of. From private label manufacturers and wholesale suppliers to bulk importers, the journey encompasses diverse facets of the food supply chain. At the core of this journey are the innovative practices and meticulous attention to quality that drive our industry forward.
Source86 is here to guide you through the niche and untouched corners of this world. We provide unparalleled support and insights, whether you are a burgeoning brand seeking unique ingredients or an established entity looking to innovate. Join us in this exciting exploration and become an integral part of the story that shapes the future of food.
