638832 Thu Jul 23 07:59:26 -0700 2009 8 33 Food Media and News 0 4883692 I thought this chocolate was really good! Not the best I've ever had mind you, but for mass market stuff, it hit the spot. Will any of you 'hounds grieve? or will you give a collective "meh"? Thu Jul 23 07:59:27 -0700 2009 44363 sheilal 1 4884021 Given that they now own Scharffen-Berger, seems like it was competing against themselves. Thu Jul 23 09:45:14 -0700 2009 4883692 10132 sku 2 4887795 They're actually closing the Scharffenberger plant and moving the production to Mexico. I'm wondering if the same sort of thing hasn't affected the Cacao Reserve. Fri Jul 24 12:17:55 -0700 2009 4884021 10784 Scrapironchef 3 4893385 fabulous. Wonder if anyone will ever figure out that if you keep eliminating jobs, there won't be anyone left to buy your product? Mon Jul 27 06:53:03 -0700 2009 4887795 109573 coney with everything 3 4903191 Scharffen-Berger production was reportedly shifted to a plant in Illinois. Hershey had actually been making most of the SB there for awhile. Closing the California plant shifted the last remaining production to the IL factory. That said, the articles didn't mention if the powder was made in that plant or elsewhere. Thu Jul 30 08:52:16 -0700 2009 4887795 130031 Shane Greenwood 1 4887905 It's a premium specialty product and the first to go in a down economy. If it was selling well they'd keep it going, but they aren't cut out for boutique products. Fri Jul 24 12:50:12 -0700 2009 4883692 202198 ferret 2 4903734 Actually, small luxuries like "boutique" chocolate do relatively well in a down economy -- they satisfy peoples' need to indulge without much of a hit on the wallet. I think sku is right: the Cacao Reserve line was their entry into the premium chocolate market. Once they bought Sharffen-Berger they were competing against themselves, and the Sharffen-Berger brand has a lot more cachet in that market segment. Thu Jul 30 11:24:18 -0700 2009 4887905 10159 Ruth Lafler 3 4905033 Ruth is right. A lot has been written this year about how super premium products are doing well. I think the Hershey brand never fit into that category. They are a middle quality, mass market brand. Those players never do well going up scale (remember the VW Phaeton?). Super premium cocao powder would be the Dutch process stuff coming from Europe and a few American brands, maybe Sharffen-Berger is one of them but I haven't had thiers. Thu Jul 30 18:33:45 -0700 2009 4903734 130031 Shane Greenwood 1 4909577 I actually really liked their "drinking chocolate" - it was rich and the flavor was great without that greasy thing that some powdered hot chocolates have. Sat Aug 01 16:43:15 -0700 2009 4883692 132385 reiflame