As a serious chocoholic, I pride myself on the ability to enjoy everything from an old-school Dairy Milk to more artisan bean-to-bar varieties. And when it comes to supermarket chocolate, it’s safe to say trading conditions have not been easy recently, with rising manufacture costs and chocolate harvests facing climate pressure. This has led to brands reducing their cocoa percentages in order to protect profit margins, or otherwise hiking their prices. Consequently it can feel like the everyday snack we know and love is becoming a luxury item, prompting shoppers to become more discerning about the quality of their chocolate bars as well as the ethical practices around the sourcing of cocoa beans.
It is therefore encouraging to see brands such as Tony’s Chocolonely not only advocating for higher cocoa percentages but also fighting against related causes such as child labour, exploitation in the cocoa industry and deforestation. Their unevenly sized, generously filled bars have revolutionised supermarket confectionary aisles, with inventive flavour and texture combinations such as dark milk pretzel toffee, white chocolate raspberry popping candy and pecan caramel with biscuit pieces.
I have also noticed several supermarkets following suit and upping their game when it comes to own-brand chocolate bars. M&S launched their range of chunky ‘Choc Marks’ bars to popular acclaim, while Morrisons also launched a range of ‘Chunk’ bars. Now, Sainsbury’s has joined the party with three new 140g milk chocolate Twists bars, each priced at £2.75 – that’s £2 less than the Tony’s range. They are smaller than Tony’s 180g bars, but the flavours feel remarkably close to the kind of crunchy, chewy combinations that have made Tony’s so popular. Both these ranges are also importantly keen to highlight their Fairtrade credentials, working with farmers to support sustainable practices.
The most indulgent-sounding option combines Belgian milk chocolate with shortcake, brownie pieces, caramel and salted butter caramel – this also appears to be an near-replica of M&S’ bar of similar ingredients.
The second bar takes a more playful route, mixing caramel pieces with crisp rice pieces, raspberry jellies and roasted corn. That should give you a combination of soft, fruity chewiness alongside salty crunch – ideal if you like your chocolate with a bit going on.
The third is the most playful sounding with a line-up of fun ingredients such as milk chocolate with candied orange peel, popping candy and feuilletine butter biscuit. In other words, you get zesty citrus, a crackle on the tongue and delicate biscuit crunch all in one bar. Again, there is a strong nod to the flavours of M&S’ popping candy bar.
That makes Sainsbury’s new line-up feel less like a completely unexpected invention and more like a supermarket response to the success of Tony’s-style chocolate: thick bars, eye-catching fillings and a mix of textures that makes every square feel different.
I’ve already bought the orange, popping candy and feuilletine bar plus the brownie and caramel bar and look forward to nibbling on them this week. If you enjoy Tony’s but don’t fancy paying £4.75 for a larger bar, Sainsbury’s new range could be worth adding to your next chocolate shop.
Check out more recent releases from Sainsbury’s:
Sainsbury’s new chocolate pasta is dividing shoppers – will you dare to try it?
Sainsbury’s new loaded puddings range is a dream for doughnut and pistachio fans
Sainsbury’s launches its own Marry Me Chicken pasta to rival M&S’