Wispa

Wispa is a brand of chocolate bar manufactured by Cadbury UK. Introduced in 1981, the Wispa bar is known for its unique bubbly texture, created by aerating the chocolate. This process involves incorporating tiny air bubbles into the chocolate, giving Wispa its distinctive light and airy feel. The original Wispa bar was primarily marketed in the United Kingdom and Ireland, quickly becoming a popular choice among chocolate lovers.

History

The Wispa bar was launched in the North East of England in 1981 as a trial and was rolled out nationally in 1983. Its introduction was part of Cadbury's strategy to revitalize their range of chocolate bars and appeal to a younger demographic. The product was initially promoted through a series of memorable television advertisements, which played a significant role in establishing its popularity.

In 2003, Cadbury made the decision to discontinue the Wispa bar, replacing it with the Dairy Milk Bubbly. However, this move was met with widespread consumer backlash. A grassroots campaign, utilizing social media platforms and online petitions, called for the return of the Wispa. Responding to this demand, Cadbury reintroduced the Wispa bar in 2007 as a limited edition. The re-launch was a success, leading to the permanent return of the Wispa to the UK and Irish markets.

Variants

Over the years, Cadbury has introduced several variants of the Wispa bar, including:

• Wispa Gold: A version of the original Wispa bar with a layer of caramel.
• Wispa Mint: A mint-flavored edition, which was discontinued.
• Wispa Bite: Featuring a combination of biscuit and caramel.
• Bitsa Wispa: Small, bite-sized pieces of Wispa chocolate, ideal for sharing.

Production

The production of Wispa involves a specialized process where chocolate is aerated with gas under pressure, creating millions of tiny bubbles. This technique not only gives Wispa its signature texture but also makes the chocolate melt more smoothly in the mouth.

Cultural Impact

The Wispa bar has had a notable impact on British popular culture, symbolizing the power of consumer demand in influencing product availability. The campaign for its revival is often cited as an early example of social media's ability to mobilize consumers and effect change in corporate decisions.

See Also

• Cadbury
• Chocolate bar
• List of chocolate bar brands