U.S. consumers seem to be developing a green sweet tooth. Organic chocolate sales are currently booming, and as natural ingredients are being sought out by chocolate lovers, even mainstream candy companies are dipping their toes into what was heretofore considered a high-end market.

A recent study indicates that chocolate is the fastest growing organic snack in the U.S. market, with current sales showing a whopping 49 percent increase over 2006. Organic chocolate sales are still relatively small, however, totaling about $70.8 million yearly (this according to a Euromonitor report cited by the Dagoba Organic Chocolate company). By contrast, total U.S. chocolate sales in 2006 were approximately $6 billion.

Cathy Strange, global chocolate buyer for Whole Foods Market Inc., reports that the average American eats around 12 pounds of chocolate annually. Whole Foods Market carries a wide variety of organic chocolates, including Dagoba, Green & Black's, Lake Champlain, Chocolove and Newman's Own.

But organic chocolate is proving to be more than a niche product, with commercial brand names getting in on the action. Cadbury Schweppes Plc acquired the Green & Black's brand two years ago, and Hershey Co. bought Dagoba in October 2006. Russell Stover, best recognized as a commercial chocolatier that sells its boxed assortments in drugstore chains has also entered the organic arena. Its new organic Belgian milk and 60 percent solid dark organic chocolate went on sale at Target stores last month.

"We're seeing that the consumers most passionate about organic indulgence are also those who are most interested in a premium product," said Mark Sesler, a Russell Stover spokesman. - Yahoo News

Organic chocolate is likely to show double-digit growth this year, making it consistent with the overall organic food market. Also consistent are the concerns of sustainability and fair trade, which Retail Insights president Jay Jacobowitz believes go hand in hand with organic food quality: "We have a growing interest in where our food comes from, its pedigree," Jacobowitz said.

What precisely makes chocolate organic? It is generally agreed that organic chocolate is made from pesticide-free cocoa, and production utilizes certified organic sugar, oils, fruit, and nuts, all in accordance with USDA organic regulations. It seems consumers are consistently seeking out healthier choices, even in their indulgences.

"Natural food consumers are demanding it," said Katrina Markoff, founder of Vosges Haut Chocolat, a Chicago-based boutique chocolatier. "Amongst certain groups, this is a no-brainer." - Yahoo News