[EP #02] Is ‘Functional Indulgence’ the future of chocolate?

Chocolate has officially entered the wellness conversation. It’s slowly being reimagined as part of the broader movement toward food as medicine, as functional benefits lead the charge in terms of claims. Consumers are increasingly turning to food products to support their health needs, and functional indulgence is emerging as a sweet spot: where pleasure meets purpose.

Maison Marianne Chocolates is a brand that embodies this shift. Founded in Tokyo by Jennifer Court-Cervara, it blends high-quality Peruvian cacao with adaptogens and functional ingredients aimed at supporting sleep, skin health, and stress relief. Jennifer spoke to me how she’s building a chocolate brand with wellness at its core – and why indulgence and functionality are no longer mutually exclusive.

Listen to the episode on Spotify or watch on YouTube (subscribe to both if you’d like to stay in the loop on new episodes).

Made with ❤️ by GourmetPro - your network of Food & Beverage experts, on demand.

💖 And if you think someone you know might be interested in this edition of Market Shake, feel free to simply forward this email or click the button below. 💖

👉 P.S.: GourmetPro is also on LinkedIn!