Origins moves into confectionery market

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Chemical-free chocolate marks the beginning of Origins' guest editor project

Estee Lauder skincare brand Origins is to make its foray into confectionery and gourmet food retailing. The wellness brand has recruited French pastry chef Jacques Torres to make dark chocolate tablets under the Sensory Therapy name on behalf of the company. It is part of the firm's guest editor initiative.

The scheme will later involve musicians and other creative artists. Torres uses no chemicals in his chocolate and Origins focuses on this "natural" aspect of the product to keep the brand in line with the company's ethos. The sugars come from beets instead of refined sugar.

The tablets will be sold in all Origins outlets with the travel-retail rollout beginning in November.  Five bars are planned, each designed to either aid sleep and relaxation, increase happiness, energise or aid digestion. Essential oils are used including lemon, camomile, cinnamon and peppermint. They will retail at £4.50 ($8) in domestic markets. Travel-retail pricing is not yet confirmed.

Also in the line-up is Original Hot Chocolate and Well-being Hot Chocolate with lemon, clove and thyme, both retailing at £17.50 ($33).