Following in the artisanal footsteps of wine, cheese and coffee, San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate is at the forefront of the bean-to-bar movement, revolutionising the way the confectionery is made and sold. Are we set to see ‘vineyards’ for chocolate in the next few years?

Chewing gum used to be synonymous with youth in America. It was sexy, glamorous and epitomised a laid-back attitude. But the $4 billion US gum market is down 10% in sales, and this is expected to continue until 2019. So why are Americans spitting out their gum?

The snacks market is booming, and discerning consumers want to be inspired and surprised as they seek more than the usual nutritional sustenance or standard tastes. What they really want to consume is an emotional connection.

More calories were consumed in snacks during the 2015 Super Bowl than at Thanksgiving dinner in 2014. Snacking in the US is at an all-time high, with 91% doing it daily. So why is the 'little and often' habit replacing traditional meals? And what does the average American really want from a snack?