> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # UPDATED: Viral Chocolate Trends & How to Make More Money With Them | #PSC 177 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/viral-chocolate-trends-how-to-make-money-with-them-psc-177/ - Published: 2026-02-04T20:34:57.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-14T17:37:05.000Z - Description: Episode 177 of #PodSaveChocolate looks at ten #trendy chocolate #trends #trending and what chocolate makers and confectioners can do to grow their businesses by riding – smartly – on their coattails. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream 🗓️ Episode 177 streamed on Friday, January 30th, 2026\. Click a link below to view the archived episode. This ****YOUTUBE** link is shareable. [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/11/ytlogo256x256.png)](https://youtube.com/live/ZNokY9UTzm4?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode! Subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community. [Watch this episode on YouTube ](https://youtube.com/live/ZNokY9UTzm4?ref=thechocolatelife.com) --- ## **Episode 177** This was one of the two episodes that were lost during the recent server outage (see post below). [February 2026 Newsletter – Part 1There was a major security incident on the VPS node at the datacenter where TheChocolateLife WAS hosted. This resulted in TheChocolateLife being unreachable for over 36 hours. The attack was so severe that none of the data seems to be recoverable.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-373.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/markus-winkler-qPjV8XaXPTQ-unsplash-Featured1920x1080-1.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/february-2026-newsletter-part-1/) This post is a placeholder replacement with just the link to the YouTube archive for the purposes of SEO, link preservation, and continuity. --- ### **RECAP** The topic of trends is one that I return to fairly often in episodes of PodSaveChocolate, often to point out that “trends” (and more so innovation) can be superficial and shallow, and that what qualifies as “innovative” is often nothing more than a simple line extension. In this episode, I am going to be more concrete: For each of the ten viral trends mentioned below, I am going to provide concrete definitions for each as well as ideas for what you can do to take advantage of them (and which viral trend you want to avoid), along with an implementation roadmap for 2026 that can help you grow your business, with a focus on makers in the US and EU. The ten trends that will be covered 1. Dubai” chocolate 2. “Experience” bars and confections 3. High-drama fillings 4. Plant-based indulgence 5. Healthier for you 6. Better for the planet 7. “3rd-wave” craft chocolate 8. Sugar-free chocolate 9. Texture is the new flavor 10. Alt.“chocolates” --- ### **Special Member Offer** I will be publishing an eBook on this topic after the episode. I had originally planned on February 15th as the publication date, but that may be delayed because of the server outage. The eBook will be available for **Free** to all ChocolateLife members with annual Team TCL **Member** premium subscriptions at $42/year on or before February 28th. I will be publishing one of these eBooks every month, and premium members of TheChocolateLife at the Team TCL **Leader** level ($150/year) and above will receive them at no additional charge for as long as they keep their memberships active. --- ### **Episode Hashtags** #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) ⁉️ After a year-long+ experiment, the audio-only versions of PodSaveChocolate episodes have been taken down after an end-of-year review. There were not enough listens to continue uploading episodes and paying for hosting. --- ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for ****Free** to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Premium subscriptions available. ### **Become a Premium ChocolateLife Member!** | These offers are available to free members, so subscribe above then click one of the following links. | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Team TCL Member** Monthly membership | [First 2 months FREE](https://thechocolatelife.com/first-two-months-free-team-tcl-member) (save $10/yr) | | **Team TCL Leader** Monthly membership | [First 2 months FREE](https://thechocolatelife.com/two-free-months-team-tcl-leader) (save $30/yr) | ---