Key Takeaways
- Puratos will introduce the first commercially available chocolate product containing cultured cocoa for professionals
- U.S. launch is planned for the end of 2026
- Product is developed in collaboration with California Cultured
- Cultured cocoa positioned as a complement to traditional cocoa farming
- Initiative aligns with Puratos’ Cacao-Trace sustainability program and long-term innovation strategy
Puratos Announces First Commercial Cultured Cocoa Chocolate Product
Puratos U.S. Launch Planned for 2026
Puratos has announced plans to launch what it describes as the world’s first chocolate product for professionals containing cultured cocoa. The product is expected to become fully commercially available to Puratos customers in the United States toward the end of 2026, marking a new development in the commercialization of alternative cocoa technologies.
The company stated that the product is designed specifically for professional chocolate makers and food brands seeking reliable supply, consistent performance, and defined sensory standards.
Puratos's Collaboration with California Cultured
From Early Investment to Commercial Application
The new product is being developed in collaboration with California Cultured, a company focused on cultured cocoa innovation. Through its foodtech venture arm, Sparkalis, Puratos has been an early investor in the technology, supporting its development from research stage toward market readiness.
Alan Perlstein, Chief Executive Officer of California Cultured, said: “What matters to chocolate makers is simple. They need an ingredient that behaves like cocoa, tastes like cocoa, and shows up when they need it. This partnership with Puratos moves cultured cocoa from a scientific proof into a dependable commercial ingredient that manufacturers can actually plan around.”
According to the companies, the collaboration aims to translate cultured cocoa technology into a product that meets customer expectations for taste, quality, consistency, and industrial performance.
Positioning Cultured Cocoa as a Complement to Traditional Farming
Puratos stated that cultured cocoa can function as a climate-independent complement to traditional cocoa farming systems. The company indicated that this approach may help ensure more consistent supply and quality amid climate-related production challenges.
Jaina Wald, Vice President Marketing & Digital at Puratos USA, commented: “For Puratos USA, this announcement reflects our commitment to supporting American chocolate professionals with forward-looking solutions. The US market plays a central role in food innovation, and we are proud to help bring new technologies like cultured cocoa closer to commercial reality here.”
Alignment with Cacao-Trace and Long-Term Sustainability Goals
Responsible Innovation and Farmer Commitment
Puratos emphasized that the initiative aligns with its Cacao-Trace program, which focuses on improving farmer livelihoods, enhancing product quality, and delivering measurable impact across the cocoa value chain.
Youri Dumont, Director Chocolate Strategic Business Unit at Puratos, stated: “The future of the chocolate industry depends on our ability to innovate responsibly. Through programs like Cacao-Trace, we have shown that improving farmer livelihoods, product quality, and sustainability can go hand in hand, and we remain committed to cocoa farmers with the ambition to double our Chocolate Bonus and Quality Premium by 2030. Exploring new approaches such as cultured cocoa allows us to build on that foundation and continue shaping a more resilient future for chocolate.”
