Startup CPG Newswire:
Meet Chocolate’s Brazilian Cousin: Figa Foods Unveils a new kind of bar on the chocolate shelf, made out of the seeds of Brazilian Cupuaçu

PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Ariel Altman for Figa Foods

NEW YORK, NY (2025) — Figa Foods is thrilled to announce the waitlist for its debut line of Cupuaçu (coo-pu-ah-soo) based bars. As the first of their kind in the U.S., these bars transform upcycled Cupuaçu seeds into a creamy, chocolate-style experience. Like Mezcal to Tequila, or Oat Milk to Almond Milk, Figa Cupuaçu bars are the cousin of your traditional chocolate bar.

Co-founded by Ariel Altman and Ronny Berger—a New Yorker and a Brazilian brought together by a love of food and curiosity—Figa Foods was born from a simple question: Why don’t Americans know about Brazil’s incredible superfoods? With the looming cocoa crisis, the duo saw an opportunity to introduce a delicious and planet-friendly, clean alternative that champions regenerative farming and economic opportunities for local Brazilian communities.

Figa Foods’ bars are crafted with just three ingredients—Cupuaçu seeds, date sugar, and cacao butter—and come in four unique flavors:
Pure: Smooth and creamy with a tropical, toasty finish. The foundation of all Figa bars.
Salty: A pinch of sea salt, bringing the perfect balance between sweet and savory
Crunchy: Inspired by Brazilian street snacks, with roasted tapioca flakes for a popcorn-like crunch.
Fruity: Topped with dried Cupuaçu pulp, delivering a tangy, pineapple-banana zing.

Unlike cocoa, Cupuaçu is naturally caffeine-free, making Figa bars the perfect anytime treat. The bars are vegan and gluten free while also packed with antioxidants, offering superfood benefits in every bite.

Sustainability is at the core of Figa Foods. The brand partners with regenerative farms in Brazil, upcycling Cupuaçu seeds that would otherwise go to waste, supporting biodiversity, and creating new economic opportunities for local farmers. “We’re not just making a new kind of chocolate alternative—we’re building an entirely new supply chain,” says co-founder Ronny Berger.

Figa Foods has already caught the attention of top chefs at Google and the José Andrés Group, who have taste-tested the bars and helped iterate the recipe. Now, consumers can be among the first to experience this game-changing treat by joining the waitlist at figafoods.com.

“We want to reshape the chocolate aisle and prove that tasting (really) good and doing good for your health and the planet can all exist in one product,” says co-founder Ariel Altman. “Cupuaçu is the future, and we can’t wait for people to try it.”

Join the waitlist today at figafoods.com and follow @FigaFoods on social media for updates and exclusive content.

About Figa Foods

Figa Foods is redefining Brazilian superfoods for the modern American palate, starting with Cupuaçu (Coo-pu-ah-soo)—a bold, delicious, and sustainable superfruit from the heart of Brazil. By transforming upcycled cupuaçu seeds into a rich, creamy chocolate-style bar—using only three ingredients, plus unique Brazilian-inspired toppings, and naturally sweetened with dates—Figa Cupuaçu Bars prove that indulgence and sustainability can go hand in hand.
In Brazil, “Fazer Figa” means to bring good luck. With every bite, Figa Foods brings that same Brazilian warmth, joy, and curiosity—one delicious, sustainable treat at a time.

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