[4][9] These are existing botanical cocoa bean varieties that have been identified as having the right attributes to be processed into ruby chocolate.

[10] While the exact production method is a trade secret, publications note industry speculation is that ruby chocolate is made with unfermented cocoa beans of Brazil Lavados, which can have a natural red-pink colour.

[20][21][14] In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted ruby chocolate a 15-month temporary marketing permit.

[7] The first mass market release of a ruby chocolate product was on 19 January 2018, when it was introduced as a coating for a new Kit Kat wafer bar in Japan and South Korea.

[22][23] Nestlé, the manufacturers of Kit Kat, entered into an agreement with Barry Callebaut for exclusive use of the product for six months.