Better Than a Plastic Dashboard Jesus

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:19 am

Chocolate crosses move into mainstream

By MATT SEDENSKY
The Associated Press
3/25/2005, 10:23 a.m. ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A symbol of Christianity that sits atop church steeples, dangles from necks and hangs on walls is now ending up in the mouths of the faithful, over the objections of some religious officials.

A mass-produced chocolate cross is being sold this Easter by Russell Stover Candies Inc. in about 5,000 stores nationwide, which experts say is apparently a first for a major American company.

"Obviously they've seen that there's a market for chocolate crosses at Easter," said Lisbeth Echeandia, a consultant for Candy Information Service, which monitors candy industry trends. "I don't see it growing tremendously but I think there would be growth in the Christian market."

However, not all Christians are happy about it. Chomping on a chocolate cross can be offensive to some, said Joseph McAleer, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic diocese in Bridgeport, Conn.

"The cross should be venerated, not eaten, nor tossed casually in an Easter basket beside the jelly beans and marshmallow Peeps," he said. "It's insulting."

Nonetheless, Kansas City-based Russell Stover, the third-largest American chocolate manufacturer, said it is targeting some of the most devout Christians — Hispanic Americans.

Pangburn, which Russell Stover bought in 1999, has long had a hold in that market. The milk chocolate cross is about 6 inches high, adorned with a floral bouquet and filled with caramel made of goat's milk, popular in Mexico and Latin America. Its packaging features Spanish more prominently than English.

Russell Stover President Tom Ward doesn't expect the chocolate cross to overtake the chocolate bunny, but he does expect it to bring in new customers who "wouldn't buy rabbits."

"I think it's a market that's potentially overlooked," said chocolate expert Clay Gordon, who runs the chocolate Web site Chocophile.com.

Ward said Russell Stover considered making other traditional images out of chocolate but eventually opted not to.

"A molded Jesus, for example, would not be a good call and a cross with Jesus on it wouldn't be a good idea either," Ward said.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:09 pm

I think I'm going to gag. This is worse than the rampant kitsch on the way to Oberammagau.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 5:13 pm

What's the problem? Traditional Catholics believe they are literally eating the body of Christ at communion. And Easter eggs are a traditional symbol of the resurrection. Plus, what about hot cross buns?

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 7:52 am

jbuck919 wrote:What's the problem? Traditional Catholics believe they are literally eating the body of Christ at communion. And Easter eggs are a traditional symbol of the resurrection.

It's in bad taste, that's what. No pun intended.

Plus, what about hot cross buns?

With or without butter?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:46 am

Yeah, hot cross buns. And chocolate Santas. And communion, for that matter (I had a cup of blood once, in a snake restaurant in China, but that's another subject).

Corlyss, since when has good taste been a feature of christian souvenirs?

operafan · Post by **operafan** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 1:16 pm

Only if they are made out of French or Flemmish chocolate.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:15 pm

npwparis wrote:Yeah, hot cross buns. And chocolate Santas. And communion, for that matter (I had a cup of blood once, in a snake restaurant in China, but that's another subject).

More of your exotic tastes in food, Nigel?

Corlyss, since when has good taste been a feature of christian souvenirs?

Mmmmmm. Well, I didn't in places that weren't associated with a church, like the Franciscan Monastery gift shop. The Catholic church run outlets tend to be more restrained. Private industry and BAC outlets is a whole nother thing.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 7:43 pm

What happened to hot cross buns since I was a lad? Now they don't make 'em with icing or peel, but you can get chocolate buns with chocolate chips with a chocolate cross.

Personally, I wouldn't mind a chocolate Jesus - but then again I always bit the heads off jelly-babies without it leading to abuse of real children later in life. Would a chocolate Devil sell better?

MACHINA weapon · Post by **MACHINA weapon** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:33 pm

Jesus juice:

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=118994

Improved flavour for body of Christ:

http://www.cphpost.dk/get/86354.html

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