Chinese chocolate heads for Europe

The company has developed chocolates with ginseng and red date flavours and is planning to trial the products in the domestic market before examining the possibility of introducing them to Western consumers.

With the range, Eu Yan Sang is looking at tapping into the allure of traditional Eastern herbs to target the European confectionery market and gaining a foothold in the growing functional chocolate sector.

By using the well-known Chinese herb ginseng as an ingredient the company is following the trend for exotic additions to chocolate promising an array of benefits from increasing libido to enhancing mood.

Ginseng is typically taken to enhance stamina and reduce feelings of fatigue and physical stress. It is also believed to have an anti-cancer function and has been reported to normalise blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of obesity.

Eu Yan Sang chief executive Richard Eu told a press conference for the launch: "We think that an idea like this probably has greater appeal in the Western markets because that is where we want to go. We want to find something with broader appeal."​

The range is the first of its kind for Eu Yan Sang who produce herbal supplements, beauty products and alternative medicines and will allow the company to enter the European functional foods market which grossed €4bn last year.