Fantomen Chokladdryck (which translates to The Phantom Chocolate Drink) was produced by Nordic Candy A/S in Kolding, Denmark in 1991. Although produced in Denmark, it was sold in retails stores throughout Sweden by Nordchoklad AB located at Kalmar, Sweden. The Chocolate Drink came in the form of powdered drinking chocolate, which when mixed with milk or water, produced a chocolate flavored beverage, with 30 servings found per box making approximately 6 liters of drink.
AB Nordchoklad was a prominent Swedish food company, primarily celebrated for its confectionery and chocolate offerings. Its journey began in 1903 with the founding of Kalmar Karamellfabrik, which later evolved into Kalmar Chokladfabrik and adopted the “Röda Ugglan” brand. The company saw significant growth under the ownership of the Edgren family until 1948, when it was acquired by KF (Kooperativa Förbundet – the Swedish Cooperative Union). It was in 1970 that KF merged the company with other cooperative chocolate factories from Denmark and Norway, officially forming Nordchoklad AB.
Throughout its operational years, Nordchoklad was responsible for creating a beloved range of products. Among its most famous were Bridgeblandning (Bridge Mix) and Familjeblandning (Family Mix), along with Punschknappar (Punch Buttons) and Vaniljpraliner (Vanilla Pralines). They also produced a variety of chocolate boxes like Lyxpresent and Jenny Nyström, various chocolate bars, and an array of other candies, including lollipops, toffee beans, and English licorice.
The company’s story concluded with further consolidation in the Swedish confectionery market. In 1993, Nordchoklad AB merged with Ica-owned Svea Choklad to become Candelia. Just five years later, in 1998, Candelia was acquired by the long-standing Nordic confectionery giant, Cloetta. This acquisition ultimately led to Cloetta ceasing production at the former Kalmar factory, marking the end of Nordchoklad’s independent existence as it became fully integrated into the larger Cloetta group.
Fantomen Chokladdryck was sold in retail stores across Sweden in a cardboard box which open from the top holding 400g of powdered drinking chocolate, measuring 15cm height and 9.5cm wide. Colors found on the packaging are in keeping with those found in Fantomen comics in Sweden, with the Phantom and Devil featured on the front of the box. All four sides of the box can be seen below.
The sides of the box provide detailed instructions on the proper usage of the powdered drinking chocolate, in addition to listing the ingredients and health information. At the rear of the box are found cut away figures of the Phantom (dressed in his Mr. Walker outfit) and Devil, producing standee toys for entertainment.
Advertisements for the Fantomen Chokladdryck were seen throughout magazines and comics published in Sweden at the time, offering a discount when a cutaway coupon is presented in retail stores. An example can be seen below in Buster Magazine edition number 9, published by Semic Press in Sweden in 1991.
Translated to English, the advertisement reads:
“THE ONE WHO DRINKS THE PHANTOM’S CHOCOLATE DRINK GETS THE STRENGTH OF
TEN TIGERS.” (OLD JUNGLE PROVERBS)
3:-BACK! This one coupon gives you a 3% discount on the purchase of a Fantomen’s Chocolate Drink. Leave the coupon at the till. Only one coupon per pack. The offer is valid until 15 November 1991. Please copy the coupon if you do not want to cut it in your newspaper. Valid once per household.
Name:………………………………………………………..
To the shop: Kuponginlösen AB, Box 5408, 114 84 Stockholm redeems this coupon for SEK 3 if it is left as partial cash when buying a Fantomens Chokladdryck and is provided with the customer’s signature.
THE PHANTOM’S CHOKLADDRYCK DIRECT FROM THE DEEP FOREST.
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