Bigger Tastes Better: Parsippany Duo Launches Unique Chocolate Company

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Chocolate brings many people together. In the case of HB+M Chocolate, it helped start a company.

Christina Wu and Anina Schumann, both of Mt. Tabor, have created HB+M Chocolate Truffles, a line of gourmet, over-sized chocolate truffles that are changing the way the treats are made and enjoyed.

Wu, a brand strategist who worked for Mars, Inc. and Cadbury in the past, just so happens to be neighbors with Schumann, a trained pastry chef. The duo spoke about having their own company one day, and the next thing they knew it was time to get to work.

The line of truffles create feature a unique dome shape shell that can be filled with ganache and a center made of brownie, doughnut, or coconut macaroon.

“Fitting all that into a typical truffle size wasn’t possible, so HB+M Chocolate Truffles had to go bigger … much bigger,” Wu said.

The bigger is better idea worked, as HB+M sold 3,000 truffles during a six-week period during its first holiday season.

“There’s nothing like this on the market,” Wu said. “We wanted to stuff the truffles with real centers, not artificially-flavored creams. We make everything ourselves, because no one else could meet our standards.”

With the upcoming Valentine’s Holiday, HB+M has designed a heart-shaped, chocolate covered, liquid sea-salted caramel. The products, which feature all natural ingredients, can be purchased at Just Jersey on South Street in Morristown and online at Etsy.com/shop/hbmchocolate.

For more information visit hbmchocolate.com.

Pictured: Christina Wu and Anina Schumann. Photos Courtesy Christina Wu.