Japan Will Soon Sell ‘Ruby Chocolate’ Kit Kat Bars

Nestle Japan, in partnership with Barry Callebaut, has announced a limited edition flavor for the “fourth type of chocolate” called “Ruby Sublime Kit Kat.”

Image via Nestle Japan Press Release

The Ruby chocolate, which was developed by Zurich-based company Barry Callebaut, is the newest type of chocolate that came out in the market since Nestle unveiled its white chocolate variant more than 80 years ago, The Guardian reported.

The fourth type of chocolate has been in development for 13 years since it was first accidentally discovered during experiments and refinement in a laboratory. It wasn’t until a couple or so years ago that the company decided to fully release it to the market.

Image via Nestle Japan Press Release

This type of chocolate, according to SoraNews24, is extracted from the Ruby cocoa bean through innovative processes that brings out the special flavor that gives the finished product’s natural reddish/pinkish color and its berry fruitiness taste.

Image via Nestle Japan Press Release

“I am very pleased that our innovative breakthrough ruby chocolate has come to life so quickly through our partnership with Nestle and the pioneering Kit Kat brand in Japan. Nestle was very quick in spotting the trend and in introducing a ruby chocolate version of Kit Kat, which will entice consumers across Asia and beyond,” Barry Callebaut CEO, Antoine de Saint-Affrique, said in a fourth type of chocolate.

This new limited edition is being helmed by Japanese patissier Yasumasa Takagi, the innovator behind many of Kit Kat’s limited edition releases in the past.

Image via Nestle Japan Press Release

“I have created an especially simple Kit Kat that allows you to enjoy the characteristic fruity fragrance and subtle acidity of ruby cacao to the fullest. Enjoy wonderful flavours that have never been experienced before,” Takagi said in the statement.

Netles’s “Ruby Sublime Kit Kat” is going to be available at the company’s specialty “KITKAT Chocolatory” stores in Japan and Korea as well as online starting January 19 for the price of 400 yen ($3.60). Only 5,000 bars are set to be sold during this limited-time offer, Nestle said in its press release.

Image via Nestle Japan Press Release

Then starting February 1, Nestle will begin selling two Valentine’s packages, which will become available on both of its specialty stores and online as well as on 80 different pop-up stores across Japan.

First up is the five-piece Valentine’s Assortment, which contains Sublime Bitter, milk, white and Ruby variants. It will be sold for 1,800 yen ($16.24).

Image via Nestle Japan fourth type of chocolate

The second offered assortment is seven-piece Valentine’s package containing all of the aforementioned flavors with the addition of matcha and raw. It will be priced at 2,400 yen ($21.65).