With the launch of ChoViva, a ground-breaking cocoa-free ingredient that offers all the decadence of chocolate, Lincolnshire-based Hames Chocolates, a private label supplier to top UK retailers since 2005, is broadening its product line.
The ingredient, which will be available through Hames starting in September, gives merchants a timely and sustainable substitute as concerns about child labour, deforestation, and price volatility mount over cocoa supply chains.
By adding ChoViva to its private label portfolio early on, Hames has given clients the opportunity to deal with an ingredient that is just starting to gain traction in the market.
Made from sunflower seeds using a fermentation-like process, ChoViva achieves a silky, rich texture and deep chocolatey flavour that mirrors traditional chocolate in taste and mouthfeel, but with a significantly lower environmental footprint.
Highly versatile, the ingredient performs exceptionally well across a wide variety of confectionery formats – from caramel-filled seasonal eggs to fruit-layered bites and biscuit-packed snacks. It is particularly suited to products with fillings and inclusions, delivering sensory excitement and perceived value.
Carol Oldbury, CEO of Hames Chocolates, said: “For customers looking to future-proof their confectionery ranges, ChoViva is more than a cocoa substitute – it’s a way to strengthen portfolios against market volatility while responding to consumer demand for climate-conscious indulgence. At Hames, our role is to make it straightforward for retailers to bring new concepts to shelf, providing the right expertise and support without adding complexity.”
Every product made with the ingredient will feature co-branding alongside the retailer’s own label, signalling innovation and climate responsibility while elevating private label lines to premium-tier status. For consumers, the ChoViva name adds credibility, telling a story of reduced carbon emissions, local sourcing and forward-thinking innovation.
Hames Chocolates works closely with customers to bring ideas to market, offering guidance on recipe development, trial production and pack formats where needed. With extensive experience supplying major retailers, the team is set up to deliver on taste, compliance and consistency at scale – ensuring products are shelf-ready with minimal complexity for customers.
The ingredient will be available for delivery from September, with a minimum order quantity of 250–500kg of private label product.
