HERSHEY, Pa. – A recent study by The Hartman Group on U.S. eating habits reveals that the percentage of Americans savoring dessert after dinner has increased 5% since 2009, and 78% of treats enjoyed after dinner include chocolates. At the same time, there has been resurgence in consumers purchasing trade-up and premium dark chocolate since 2009. Dark chocolate represents $1.3 billion in sales within the chocolate segment and is consistently growing faster than the category at 7.7%.

“We are seeing a consumer trend of more dark chocolate consumption, and that offers an excellent opportunity as we look at our own dark chocolate portfolio,” said Jennifer Podhajsky, vice president and general manager, U.S. Chocolate Category, The Hershey Company, in a press release. “Hershey offers a wide range of dark chocolates to fulfill consumers’ palates and need states across personal consumption and sharing occasions.”

The Hershey Company has the largest share within dark chocolate and many of its core dark chocolate brands are showing strong growth. Standout U.S. brands for The Hershey Company include Hershey’s Special Dark Semi-Sweet and Dark Chocolate, Mounds Candy Bar and York Peppermint Pattie.

According to Nielsen data, Hershey has five of the 10 largest dark chocolate brands in the United States — York Peppermint Pattie, Brookside Dark Chocolate, Hershey’s Special Dark Semi-Sweet and Dark Chocolate, Mounds Candy Bar and Hershey’s Kisses Brand Special Dark Dark Chocolates.

“More consumers are experimenting with dark chocolate, particularly as dessert at home, and Hershey’s varied dark chocolate portfolio provides lower cacao options for those new to dark chocolate ranging all the way up to 82% cacao,” said Kristin Harper, director of Kisses and Hershey’s Bliss brands, The Hershey Company.