ALBUQUERQUE, NM - July 28, 2009 – A fledgling artisanal chocolatier is making the step from online to retail, starting in the Land of Enchantment. Albuquerque-based NYDC Chocolate’s recently launched line of Cocopotamus dark chocolate fudge is now being sold in retail stores, beginning with its home state.
Shoppers are taking notice of their unique combination of handmade fudge truffle balls, whimsical names and colorful packaging. “We believe chocolate should be delicious, creative, and most of all fun,” says NYDC Chocolate CEO Maxwell Sinclair. “A lot of the inspiration came from NYDC,” he adds, referring to the award-winning NYDC dessert cafes he and his wife Ally co-founded in 1995.
“Cocopotamus is my new go-to website for gift giving,” says customer Gail Turnmire, an enthusiastic fan who discovered the brand when it was only sold online. Her most recent purchase? A selection of Cocopotamus chocolates sent to relatives in Houston, Texas. “Everyone loved the chocolates, which arrived really quickly and were not melted at all. I knew they would love the flavors and I was right - they devoured them! They were really delighted with Cocopotamus.” Turnmire, who works for Albuquerque The Magazine, adds that she’s “thrilled” that Cocopotamus is now available retail. “This chocolate is so unique, it’s just perfect.”
The Cocopotamus line of dark chocolate fudge is putting a delicious new spin on an American tradition. The twist? A richer, creamier and less sweet chocolate fudge made with dark chocolate and infused with exotic flavors. The concept keeps the down-to-earth joy of chocolate fudge. “With Cocopotamus fudge, we try to express the new America through the flavors of the world,” explains Master Chocolatier Ally Sinclair.
The Spanish Table, a high-end specialty food retailer, has just debuted the handmade fudge at their Santa Fe store. In keeping with their focus on gourmet foods with a Spanish, Mediterranean, or Latin American flair, The Spanish Table has chosen three Cocopotamus chocolate flavors: “Naked Hottie”, made with Mexican canela cinnamon, “Hottie”, made with canela and New Mexican red chili, and “Rosie Posy”, flavored with Mediterranean rose water. The fudge is also sold in Albuquerque, at locations including Osuna Nursery and The Grove Cafe & Market.
The Cocopotamus line contains 18 flavors of dark chocolate fudge truffles, ranging from the traditional — think creamy coconut or pure peppermint - to the more exotic. The all-natural fudge is handmade in artisanal small-batch fashion and then hand-dipped in dark chocolate to form fudge truffles. NYDC Chocolate sells Cocopotamus fudge online for chocolate gifts, party chocolate, and as favors for weddings and corporate events. In their move into retail, the Cocopotamus twist on all-American fudge is gaining popularity quickly. The company is adding new retailers and fielding inquiries from more every week.
