Waitrose is expanding its No.1 confectionery range with 27 new and improved products across chocolate boxes, filled chocolate bars, truffles and nougat.

With a 211% rise in searches on Waitrose.com for ‘pistachio’ compared with the same time last year, the upmarket retailer has launched a new Italian nougat with pistachio and a Dominican Republic 49% milk chocolate with hazelnut, cashew and pistachio.

Waitrose said that the ‘Modern-Med’ has also become a key trend that has inspired innovation in the new confectionery range, in particular the flavours of Spanish citrus and Valencia orange.

The No.1 range now includes seasonal edition orange and hazelnut truffles, and a dark chocolate filled with Valencia orange ganache.

Waitrose innovations manager Lizzie Haywood said: “The No.1 confectionery range celebrates the emerging culinary trends, especially towards named provenance and variety on citrus fruits such as Valencia orange, as we know this flavour provides the taste and quality cues that customers are looking for.

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“This confectionery range provides our customers with new options reacting to culinary trends, with pairings such as chocolate and Valencia orange providing a more sophisticated take on the chocolate orange flavour.”

Blonde chocolate has also grown in popularity, with searches for ‘blonde chocolate’ up 518% over the past week on Waitrose.com.

The retailer has introduced five new blonde chocolate lines, including blonde feuillantine truffles, blonde chocolate filled with pecan praline, and The Blonde Chocolate Box.

Other new lines include pink champagne truffles, salted caramel truffles, The Classic Box, The Special Edition Box, Uganda dark chocolate 85%, Peru dark chocolate 80%, Madagascar dark chocolate 75%, Ecuador dark chocolate 90%, milk chocolate filled with fleur de sel caramel, Italian brittle with chocolate, and Italian nougat with mixed berries.

Waitrose confectionery product developer Sarah Breadmore added: “When expanding our very best No.1 range, our aim was to bring many more innovative, exciting and great quality products to food lovers – whilst tapping into the latest flavour trends.

“So whether you’re looking for a gift to impress or a sweet treat to enjoy in those quiet moments at home – there is something for every occasion.”

It comes as Waitrose relaunched its premium No.1 range with nearly 200 new and improved products in June.

The line, which now includes over 600 items, offers premium ready meals, dips, pasta & sauces, coffee, desserts, bakery treats, as well as fresh meat and fish.