I'm not the only one who was shocked and dismayed at the recent news that top chocolate companies are taking the cocoa butter out of chocolate, and replacing it with…yuck....vegetable oil!
It's being driven by cost, of course, and Hershey is one of the candy makers that thought changing ingredients to reduce cost would be better than reducing the size or increasing the price of candy. Problem is, it's the cocoa butter that gives chocolate that smooth, melts-in-your-mouth taste and texture. Unless you are aware of the switch and read the ingredients, you might find yourself eating not chocolate but something that is "made with chocolate" or is "chocolate candy" or "chocolatey." And wondering why it doesn't taste as good as it used to.
For now, at least, Hershey Kisses, peanut butter cups, and some other chocolate products have cocoa butter. But other candy now has palm, shea, sunflower, or safflower oil instead, and many people feel the taste has suffered. Of course, the candy makers are not advertising the change or labeling the candy to draw attention; you have to read the ingredients. (There's little difference in calories or fat content, but cocoa butter is actually healthier than the oils replacing it. Cocoa butter doesn't raise cholesterol levels, and it protects chocolate's antioxidant properties.) If the list doesn't include cocoa butter, it's not chocolate.
In 2007 some industry groups tried lobbying the FDA to change the definition of chocolate to allow replacing cocoa butter. They ran into a firestorm of chocolate lovers who swamped the FDA with letters and effectively put an end to the industry end-run. Hooray for the power of the people!
What does this have to do with real estate? Whatever you are selling – whether chocolate or condos – people want the genuine article. They want to know that you are who you say you are, that you are being completely honest with them, and that they can rely on you to deliver what you promise. It can be tempting to cut corners when things get tight, but that's exactly when people need us to be open and professional. It never pays to try to fool someone into buying a sub-standard product. So I won't mess with my sellers and buyers, and I won't let anyone mess with my chocolate!
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Ha ha! Brava! What a great message, delivered so perfectly! I give it a "10" and an "Amen!" --James Wirth
Margaret, what a wonderful post! And good for all the chocolate lovers who flooded the FDA! I'm hoping that the Obama contributors will organize themselves to keep an eye on what the agencies are doing and hold them accountable.
James, Thanks for stopping by. You must be relatively new on AR. Gotta go check out your posts.
Pat, There are a lot of chocolate lovers that are not happy with this deceit change. Have a great time at Inman. Can't wait to read your posts. Don't forget to take lots of pictures to share.
LOL, I'm 'relatively' new.... sure to be featured soon, I'm sure! ;) --James Wirth
No realtor worth their salt sugar dislikes chocolate! And we always know the genuine article when we taste it. Just like the consumer who can tell the when a realtor is trying to sell them a pig's ear because it's easier, cheaper, and faster than the silk purse.
Margaret, we can always count on the real McCoy with you, even when it comes to chocolate. Why is my sweet tooth acting up again? Who doesn't love chocolate?
OMG, that kind of sucks! Re "Whatever you are selling – whether chocolate or condos – people want the genuine article"...
Chocolate without cocoa butter is just some kind of bastardized candy. Quality never goes out of style and you're absolutely right, we want the real thing in chocolate, condos, etc... and we're willing to pay for the real deal so leave it alone!!!
Never, ever mess with my chocolate!!! I want the real deal :) ~Rita
Cute post! i agree.........don't mess with my chocolate! I just ate a piece of dark chocolate cake with real dark chocolate icing..........it was soooooo good! Nice comparison!
I have found a couple local shops that make their own chocolate. If Hershey starts screwing it up....The locals will have ALL my business!
Margaret - I guess I'll have to start reading the chocolate bar labels.
Now, if we only had somebody to share that chocolate with. Good or bad you can't eat it all by yourself.
I am so devoted to real estate and the geniun article that I named my dogs Nestle and Hershey!
Yuck and now I have to do my research on Dark Dove that is my favorite
I'm a chocolate purist and I say YUCK!!
It reminds me of infamous add "where's the beef"? Now it's "where's the cocoa butter"? It simply isn't chololate and if the substitutes are allowed, they should NOT be able to use the term "chocolate" because they are not! Okay -- I am glad I got that out of my system -- Now, I am going to have a piece of real chocolate that I got for Christmas.
Dena, Love your dog names. Very cute. Are they both chocolate colored?
Fred, I love to share chocolate with friends
Robert, Yes, we all need to be reading labels.
Sherry, This would be a great time for the local shops to emphasize their specialty
Linda, Dark chocolate...yum and it is good for you.
Kenna, Me too!
mARTi, If anyone knows cookies chocolate, it is you!
Gary, Only the real McCoy. Now go satisfy that sweet tooth.
You can't fool us Margarets.
If you look at the label, you'll notice a difference in what they call it as well as in the ingredients, because there's a law about that. A law that they pushed to get changed so that they wouldn't have to give a heads up on the front of the product that you weren't getting what you used to get.
I will not buy Hershey's products any longer (I knew they weren't tasting as good, I just didn't know why until fairly recently), and you can be sure I'm checking the ingredients labels on chocolate products that I DO buy.
This is going around the internet at a rapid pace, and I suspect that this "cost saving" move is going to be the "New Coke" of Hershey - something that backfires on them big time.
Susan, Be sure and report back with your findings on Dove.
Marchal, I second that!
Joan, Just keep on enjoying the real deal! You will feel better in a minute!
Tricia, I think Hershey's will take notice very soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow! I thought I knew everything about my favorite treat- chocolate! I am a dark chocolate fan so I will have to check it out! Thanks for the info. :)
Kristi, You certainly can learn a lot from real estate blogging. Thanks for stopping by. In my book there is only dark chocolate!
Margaret... such an excellent message, in which I agree with. And yes, yuk, with what they will be doing to chocolate.
I'm not happy if there is no chocolate in the house. it keeps me sane.
Jeff, Hope you are feeling better. BTW making that phone call today was very painful.
Lizette, Happiness IS chocolate!
Margaret - as a die-hard chocoholic, this almost brings tears to my eyes, and a grumble to the stomach. I loved how you related this to real estate.
Jeff
Jeff, I just knew you would understand!
Hi Margaret; The HECK with real estate, I'm concerned about the chocolate!! This is dire. It's tragic. It's just not fair or sane. I want my chocolate and I want the real deal! What is the world coming to. Maybe I had better start stockpiling now. It will probably be worth more than gold. Sorry, guess I got carried away! :)
Eileen,
There there, it will be ok. Hey stockpiling may not be a bad idea. Better put it in the fridge or freezer to keep it fresh. It may hold its value better than real estate lately. Thanks for stopping by.
I hope they don't mess with our chocolate covered macadamia nuts. I am not a chocolate lover, but how can you not love them?
First they took away my coconut oil that my wonderful movie theater buttered popcorn was cooked in and now this... I may as well not splurge anymore.
Margaret,
You're the "genuine article!" I love this post. If the list doesn't include cocoa butter, it's not chocolate.
Mike in Tucson
Very good post Margaret. The analogy is perfect. Our business is all about being real. Folks can tell a fake in a second.
THANK YOU
I guess if their sales drop, Hershey will really get the message. Thanks for the information, it will help me to cut down on eating one of the junk foods that I have too much of anyway.
Margaret - I will have to check the ingredients to make sure. I only buy dark chocolate, 70% or 85%, I hope they don't mess with it.
As for my product, I always try to give a little extra, I want to be better than good.
Morning Margaret,
Great parallel. Bottom line, honesty in all we do! As for the chocolate aspect, I developed an allergy to chocolate and have had to go through life without the delightful treat. Just shows to go ya we can adjust to anything if we have to.
Randy, I am glad you are my friend; will definitely take your share. You keep the macadamias and leave the chocolate.
Tammy,Just spluge on the "real" things.
Mike, Your are my kind of guy!
Bryant, Hoping TLW is up to thinking about chocolate soon. Would it help to add some to the pump?
Colleen, That is one way to deal with the situation, Careful, you could get into big, really big trouble calling chocolate, junk food.
Mike,your service is like "real" chocolate icing on the cake.
I agree with Tricia. Any company that messes with a tried and true recipe should have learned their lesson from Coke in the 1980's.
Oh yes, that chocolate, it sure is good! Perhaps the substitute for cocoa butter has some redemption. It is healtheir.
As for client service, yes, yes, yes, you are so right! I will not compromising there. It's full service as usual and I will always act in the very best interest of my client rather than my purse.
I am a professional, not a salesperson. I am real and not fake, I am there to help clients who seek my help. That why my business is nearly all by referral and I can't afford to mess up, much like the chocolate industry. They will come to the realization of what consumers want and are willing to pay for, perhaps in time there will be a healthy version for those who want healthy and are willing to sacrifice some taste and then there will still be the more decadent version, full taste, that pleases the the taste buds without concern for health... after all we don't have that treat every day.
Realtors much like chocolate, they can calm the clients by being available when they are needed to answer or questions or concerns and most of all, provide guidance.
And let's not forget, they keep the housing market more honest.
Now for my retreat and my ration of chocolate.
Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, Partners Realty Group, Manchester NH.
I just found a deal on Christmas Hershey Kisses - the dark chocolate kind (90% off.....they are making room for Valentine candy). Of course I bought a bunch, because I love it and dark chocolate is good for you. I sure hope they don't mess with the real deal! Nice analogy!
Excellent point! I have watched my income dwindle last year to half of what it was the year before, but under no circumstances will I dilute or replace the ingredients that makes me valuable to my clients . . . thoroughness and integrity. Because of the lean times, I do need to cut corners, but those lopped off corners are things like my gym membership ($100/month replaced by 4-mile walks in the neighborhood), a 10-lb sack of potatoes from the grocery store instead of the boxed "au gratins" by Betty Crocker, more hamburger, less tilapia and more catfish (cooked with tons of cheap butter and store brand seasoning). What about $1.00 movies from Red Box over those still showing at the theaters? Man . . . the list goes on and on! But to deprive my clients of their "cocoa butter" would be about as stupid telling them to their faces that I am more important than them! Rock on Godiva!
Donald, This comment is deserving of a feature. You could make your own blog. Thanks so much for taking time to share that clients do come first!
THe world run by MBA's is not a world to live in. Its all about immediate bottom line, not about quality or customer satisfaction.
More text-book stupidity.
OH NO! I was so upset to hear this distressing news! I have been a customer of my favorite local Chocolate store for at least 30 years. I immediately got on the phone to find out what they are doing with their recipe. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I NEED TO KNOW! I got their voicemail, so I will have to keep you updated when they respond.
Just as with Real Estate, keep the lines of communication open. Let your Buyers and Sellers know the latest developments in this fast changing market, and always ask them, "How can I help YOU?"
P.S. - I heard that question from a very wise person recently - Thank you, Margaret!
Renee Zorn, CAP, NAA, REO Specialist, TRAC Auctions, Laurel, MD
Wow that is news to me Margaret. I think there are going to be quite a few pissed off chocolate lovers!
Mike, Thanks for stopping by. That was a funny post and you know which one I mean.
Renee, Please keep everyone updated. Just think of the business opportunity right now. We have real chocolate, we don't cut corners. How can I help you? You do make me smile. Are you going to Happy Hour tonight?
Bill, You certainly summed up this post in a few short words!
Donald,Fran and Ann C. Why aren't you signe in?
Ann C. Good point and thanks for stopping by
Fran, You said it: "That why my business is nearly all by referral and I can't afford to mess up, much like the chocolate industry."
Ann Allen, Now there is a real deal. Any chance they will make it until February?
Hi Lyn, Just left you a message about your idea of what's NOT chocolate. So what are you using for a replacement?
I couldn't agree more! It's sad that Hershey has chosen the "cheap" route and made a conscious decision to mislead their consumers. I guess I'll stick with Swiss chocolate. :-)
I knew chocolate wasn't tasting as good. Our lovely local Stephanie's chocolate was bought out last year by Enstrom's. Better check there.
Josetta, Let us know what you find out.
Irina, Wonder if Hershey will comment on this post. How is the Swiss?
OMG, what is Godiva going to do? They had better not be messin around with their chocolate. Kids will soon be forgetting what real chocolate is or tastes like!
Don,Let's check with Godiva.
Margaret, what a great post! I love your comparison between chocolate-makers and real estate agents. I never thought of it this way, but you're 100% right. Thanks for the reminder to always be the "genuine article"!
Kristen, Thanks for stopping by. Blogging helps make all kinds of comparisons. This is especially fun when you love what you are doing.
Margaret - You really amaze me sometimes with your words and I think this post is really great and sweet, if you know what I mean!
And there is nothing holding me back from featuring this blog at: LATE NIGHT - EARLY MORNING AT ACTIVERAIN
http://cheap-air-jordan.cn
Wow how sad. This is just another sign of our times of big companies cutting corners and trying to slip it by the consumers. Cans of food, rolls of paper towels, bottles of soap etc all contain less than they used to but the companies either raise or at best keep the price the same.
When I was younger I was a proud member of the Hershey Chocolate Lovers club (yeah, yeah I know a bit doorkey but I did love my Hershey Bar) I am sure this news would not have been published in their newsletter...
Robert New Year's text from you and NuNu was really sweet. Thanks for the good wishes.
Josef, You are so right, the boxes are the same size, the price is the same or higher but the content has been reduced.
Tell us more about your HCLC. I think it would be fun to read. I loved (and appreciate) your review of Real Estate the Rome Way on Amazon!
Margaret, you are like a fine box of Godiva....
You never know what you're gonna get but you know it's gonna be good...
Later in the rain~Deb
There's nothing like the real thing! Thanks for the post!
Deb, What a sweet comment. I just left you a message.
Bruce. You are so right.
Ah ha!. That might explain it. I threw some "chocolate" away recently because I just thought it tasted nasty, but I just blamed it on me not reading the expiration date or leaving in sitting in heat drafts during the cold days. Next time I go to the store, I'll have to stop and read the ingredients and see if that was the problem. If it is, they've probably lost my business.
Loved the analogy. An analogical person after my own heart.
Glad to do the review. It has been a long time since the HCLC but I remember getting a certificate, a pin and a quarterly magazine (maybe a coupon or two). My guess is they closed the program down years ago.
OMG this is terrible news... I missed the memo. I am a big chocoholic and will have to pay attention to ingredients from now on.
Russel, I don't know of many people who could would throw away chocolate, good or bad. I appreciate your stopping by.
Josef, Bet you could find some of those old members, maybe even find the memorabilia. Up for the research?
Georgina, Glad to keep you informed.
Margaret - Thanks for the warning about the chocolate! Don't mess with perfection!! Some things should be sacred!! And you are so right, it does apply to real estate and other things in life. Keep it Real.
Rhonda, Thanks for reading and making such a good comment.
"Don't Mess With My Chocolate." This sounds like the new catch phrase for 2009. Excellent analogy, Margaret. Here's to the real deal!
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Julie Jones
Fort Lauderdale
Julie, Here is to the real deal. Thanks for your good wishes and continured success in 09!
I wonder if chocolate without cocoa butter will still help with PMS??
I now buy free-trade chocolate from my church. It's a bit pricey, but I don't/can't eat nearly as much. The chocolate 'hit' is too much. That said, it just about evens out portion and price wise. It's the genuine article and because the proceeds go directly to the farmer, it not only feeds my addiction to chocolate, but is a worthy cause! Chocolate and contribution - what a combination!
Doesn't get any better.
Carol, If it does not taste good, it could not possible help with PMS...in fact it may make it worse. That's my 2 cents
Brenda, It doesn't get any better. Having a little bit of the real thing while giving to a charity.
I'm a chocolate lover and totally missed this completely. I tend to bake a lot of our goodies and chocolates, so I'll have to check my ingredients.
Christine, Let us know what you find when baking all those goodies.
Oh No Margaret say it isn't so!
Chocolate is sacred, did you know that? Of course you know that! Since moving from the MD area I haven't been to Rheb's Homemade Candies on Wilkens Avenue in quite some time. I bet they will not comply, I'm sure of it!
Cynthia, Just called Rhebs and they assured me that nothing is changed! They are still making their candy like they did 75 years ago! When are you coming back for a visit?
This is the first I have heard of replacing cocoa butter with oil. It even sounds unappetizing. I will be sure to read labels and buy the real thing.
Oh thanks...I've been craving chocolat all day...and now I read this! There's nothing I like better than really good chocolate. I agree....don't mess with a good thing.
Rebecca, Keep reading those labels.
Carol, So what kind are you having today? "I agree.....don't mess with a good thing."
Hey Margaret - thanks for the fantastic post. I vote for cocoa butter in my chocolate, along with the whole fat milk and sugar in my ice cream! Without those 'sinful' ingredients, theose lovely deserts won't be real treats!
Great comparison Margaret! I have backed off chocolate compared to what I are years ago, but when I do indulge I want the real thing.
Margaret, Look how passionate people are about chocolate! Very fitting.
I just had wonderful, whirlwind visit w/ family & friends this past Thanksgiving so it will be another year before I get back. Next time I hope to get some of those delicious Rhebs chocolates!
Thanks for the kind email, I appreciated it. Have a great New Year!
Eileen and Evelyn, Yes , give us the real thing.
Cynthia, Just remember to call me when you visit next year. We can have some chocolate together. BTW where does your family live?
... All the beater reason to go to the gym and give up junk food..... BTW... My blog buddy Pat Kennedy just mentioned you - so I will be one of your new readers... I hope to learn something!! :-)
Margaret, the tie-in with real estate was nice, BUT it wasn't even necessary. You had my attention with the changes to chocolate - I'd rather just have a smaller piece (they've been shrinking it for years, so what's different now?
James, I will be at the gym within the hour. Your blog buddy, Pat, is so special. We met in Annapolis last month and feel like we are good freinds. I have a feeling I can learn from you!
Margaret, I'd rather have the smaller piece of the real thing. No, let's change that, rather have a larger piece of the real thing. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi again Margaret, Family is in Columbia, Severna Park, & the Pasadena area. Friends are located in Pasadena, Severna Park, Annapolis and the lovely Eastern Shore of Grasonville. So we are always on the go when in town!
My daughter was born at St. Agnes so I'm sure someone brought me a yummy box of Rhebs!
I love following your blog not only for the great intel, but also for the fond memories. Thanks for blogging!
If we all decide to boycott the fake chocolate then I guarantee things would quickly change, but I'm not sure I can convince my kids?
Cynthia, Thanks for following my blogs. You really do have family and friends all over. Let me know if I can do anything for you,your friends or family here in Maryland.
Danny, We just have to read the labels and buy only the real thing!
Margaret...
I haven't the time or energy to read all these comments. Do forgive me if I mimic anyone. I have noticed the difference in some of the candy I like. I didn't think to read the ingredients. I just thought my taste buds were getting old. Glad to see that is not the case :)
TLW...ROAR!
Billie, Your taste buds are just fine! Nothing about you is old especially your spirit.
I have been keeping up with BB and think of you often. Continue to improve every day! Love to you both!
AMEN! I am a sucker for Lindt truffles and candy bars and you'd better believe we are talking sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa, milk and not much else. The way it should be!
Angela, Here is some Lindt for you. The dark chocolate looks pretty delish!