# Sake-Infused Chocolate Confections Cacao's Ganache Confections Feature Yuki Otoko Junmaishu By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2019-02-19 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-confection References: [japantimes.co.jp](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/02/16/food/cacao-sensory-infusions-chocolate-alcohol/) & [ca-ca-o](https://www.ca-ca-o.com/) Japan-based chocolatier Cacao offers a line of chocolate confections that are infused with Yuki Otoko Junmaishu from Aoki Shuzo, showing off the fact that sake has a side that does not only pair well with fermented, savory products. These [sake-infused confections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruitinfused-sak) combine chocolate and cream to create a [richly indulgent texture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baileys-choctails) that's topped off by a dusting of cocoa powder. In these chocolate ganache confections, the inclusion of sake is said to offset the sweetness of the chocolate and "add a subtle aroma and umami roundness" to the treat. While the sake-infused, award-winning Yuki Otoko chocolates are available through the chocolatier year-round, Cacao also collaborated with Japanese artisans on a series of limited-edition chocolates that integrate other distinctly Japanese flavors, such as other locally made spirits and [matcha green tea](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lindt-tokyo-style-chocolate-matcha-strawberry). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Sake-infused Confections:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the incorporation of unique alcoholic flavors into confections for a unique taste experience. - **Limited-edition Collaborations:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with local artisans to create limited-edition chocolates that showcase unique flavors and cultural influences. - **Japanese Flavor Integration:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Experiment with combining distinctly Japanese flavors, such as spirits and matcha green tea, with chocolate to create innovative taste profiles. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Chocolate Confectionery:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new flavor combinations and partnerships to differentiate in the competitive chocolate confectionery market. - **Alcohol and Spirits:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop unique alcoholic products, like sake-infused confections, to cater to consumers seeking novel flavor experiences. - **Artisanal Food and Beverage:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with local artisans to create limited-edition food products that showcase regional flavors and craftsmanship. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Luxury Japanese Chocolate Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ginza-chocolat-daifuku.md) - [Rice-Infused Tea Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-chocolate.md) - [Sake-Infused Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sake-ice-cream.md) - [Mezcal-Paired Artisanal Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairtrade-chocolate.md) - [Alcoholic Tea-Infused Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-pralines.md) - [Ramen-Infused Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ramen-and-chocolate.md) - [Salted Japanese Chocolate Confections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meiji-products.md) - [Liquor-Infused Chocolate Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquorinfused-chocolate.md) - [Spicy Umami Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/momofuku-chili-chocolate-crunch.md)