Fancy Food Find: Marich Chocolates

In the “Fancy Food Find” series, take a closer look at some of the treats on display at the 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show.

Marich Confectionery opened its factory doors in 1983, founded by several partners with storied backgrounds in candy making. One founder in particular was Marinus van Dam, a man who worked a lifetime in various candy factories. He honed his craft in his home region of Holland at a candy factory and Candy Technology School, learning the ins and outs of candy making for the finest hand-made chocolates, jellies, caramel, taffy, nougat, gum, mints, licorice, and more. Marinus continued to develop his candy making skills at companies in Ohio and California before embarking on his own venture with Marich. After nearly 30 years, family members continue to enjoy building up the business together.

Chocolate products are Marich’s specialty. The company goes beyond the simple chocolate bar and applies their chocolate know-how in a variety of tantalizing treats. Chocolate sea salt caramels are year-round classics, the luscious caramel and silky chocolate melting in one’s mouth all at once. Chocolate covered caramel popcorn brings an added sweetness and crunch to the corny snack, and chocolate spiced apples are decadent autumn treats featuring cinnamon-spiced dried apples coated in creamy milk chocolate.

The holidays bring a host of seasonal flavors for customers to savor. From their peppermint bark shortbread (crisp shortbread bites dunked in chocolate and wrapped in a smooth peppermint buttercream) to candy cane caramels (rich caramels enrobed in dark chocolate and a signature candy cane-inspired coating), the holiday spirit is in full swing with each bite. Fruit lovers will swoon over Marich’s chocolate-wrapped fruit confections, like their sweet and tangy chocolate cherries. Chocolate strawberries and chocolate blueberries are also top picks.

Marinus’ philosophy was, “You cannot be a leader if you do not understand the job from the ground up. Once you learn how to keep a plant clean, you can learn how to make candy.” The team behind Marich continues to uphold this philosophy in everything it does, leveraging their in-depth knowledge with innovation for years to come.

— Nicole Woon