Barry Callebaut’s Van Houten brand has introduced a powdered chocolate drink mix made from Ruby chocolate.

The Ruby powdered drink will be offered to the hospitality sector, specifically baristas and coffee bars. Van Houten, founded by the Dutch Van Houten family nearly 200 years ago and owned by the Barry Callebaut Group since 1998, is the first to introduce Ruby chocolate in a powdered form. 

Barry Callebaut introduced Ruby chocolate in 2017, billing it as the fourth type in chocolate. Ruby features berry and yogurt flavors.

“We are proud to be the first to offer a Ruby chocolate drink powder,” said Freek van der Knaap, v.p., vending and beverages, EMEA. “This chocolate drink has all the flavor and color of Ruby chocolate and the powder dissolves very easily in any type of milk, in hot or cold applications. Ruby chocolate drink powder will help us to unlock the beverage category for Horeca customers.”

The story of Van Houten begins in 1806 when Casparus Van Houten started a coffee and spice shop in Amsterdam. In 1828, he invented the cocoa press, which kickstarted the industrialization of cocoa. His son, Coenraad Van Houten, invented the alkalization method in 1846. It was a further improvement, allowing the cocoa powder to mix more easily with water.

Like all Van Houten products, Ruby chocolate drink powder is made with 100 percent sustainably sourced cocoa beans. Van Houten partners with Barry Callebaut’s Cocoa Horizons program.