Startup CPG Newswire:
5 Lakes Flavor Announces Release of Cacao Crunch, a Clean-Label Cacao Snack

PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Alisha Davidson for gutBFF

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (DECEMBER 2025) — 5 Lakes Flavor has introduced Cacao Crunch, a limited-release cacao snack created in collaboration with Atucun Chocolates, a tree-to-bar chocolate maker sourcing single-origin cacao from Honduras. The product combines whole roasted cacao beans with a thin chocolate coating and a finishing layer of Ruby Crunch chili crisp, providing a crisp texture and mild heat profile designed for broad consumer appeal.

The product features a short, clean ingredient list and contains naturally occurring theobromine, which is associated with sustained energy and mood support according to research from the National Library of Medicine (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).

The launch reflects growing consumer interest in minimally processed, clean-label snacks and the rising demand for cacao-forward products with functional benefits. According to data from Mordor Intelligence, the global cacao and chocolate market continues to experience steady growth driven by interest in premium, traceable ingredients.

Cacao Crunch will be available as a limited seasonal release during the holiday period, with potential for extended production based on retailer and consumer response. The product has an MSRP of $11.99 and is positioned for both specialty retail and direct-to-consumer sales.

This collaboration also expands 5 Lakes Flavor’s sourcing and product development network. Atucun Chocolates, based in Michigan and Honduras, focuses on direct trade relationships with smallholder farmers, providing transparent supply chains that support higher-quality cacao and improved producer livelihoods.

For additional details or wholesale inquiries, contact 5 Lakes Flavor.

About 5 Lakes Flavor

5 Lakes Flavor is a woman-owned food company specializing in clean-label, small-batch culinary condiments and snacks. The company’s flagship product, Ruby Crunch chili crisp, is crafted with olive oil and unrefined organic sesame oil, offering a versatile, mild-heat flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of consumers and foodservice partners.

The brand partners with regional producers and like-minded specialty food makers to advance clean-label innovation across categories, most recently collaborating with Atucun Chocolates to launch Cacao Crunch.

5 Lakes Flavor products are available online, at regional retailers, and through select wholesale marketplaces.

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