Meet the Woman Behind I Love Chamoy’s Sugar-Free Mexican Candy
One of Mexico’s most versatile sweet sauces is chamoy – a blend of dehydrated fruit, chili powder, salt, sugar, and citrus. Chamoy is so popular among the Mexican community that when Mexican entrepreneur Annie Leal couldn’t find a sugar-free version in her father’s sugar-free candy drawer, she was stunned.
"I’m looking through all of the little bags of sugar-free candy. He had sugar-free Hersheys, sugar-free Reese’s, Jolly Ranchers. Every American candy had a sugar-free version, and I didn’t see any Mexican candy. And I was like, ‘That is extremely weird,’" she said.
Leal’s family moved to the United States when she was in college. The family left Monterrey, Mexico, for McAllen, Texas, after increased violence and organized crime hit close to home.
"Unfortunately, one of my cousins was kidnapped by the narcos and he was held ransom for 12 days. Thankfully, he was rescued by the Mexican military," Leal said. "My dad called my mom and was like, ‘Grab the girls and come to the U.S. immediately,’ which was like 2 hours away. So we packed everything in one night: a couple of shirts, laptops, books, and we left."
Leal’s father was diagnosed with diabetes shortly after the move.
The experience of watching her father struggle with his condition and the lack of sugar-free options led Leal to revolutionize the chamoy market in the U.S., using her background in marketing and content creation for digital-first brands like Mitú, which produces content for the U.S. Latino community.
"I wanted to make this for my dad, but I’m like, ‘He can’t be the only person struggling with this.’ I knew how Mexican culture was just exploding and exploding. People loved it. They loved our music and our food. They’re starting to love our candy," she said.
After conducting extensive research and testing, Leal finally found the perfect formula for her sugar-free chamoy. Her product, I Love Chamoy, is now available at Hispanic grocery stores and online.
In an interview with Bísness School, Leal shared her journey from marketing executive to candy entrepreneur. She discussed how she launched her product, how she found the perfect formula, and what she learned along the way.
Conclusion
Annie Leal’s passion for sugar-free chamoy was sparked by her father’s struggle with diabetes and the lack of options available to him. Her journey from marketing executive to candy entrepreneur is an inspiring story of determination and innovation. With I Love Chamoy, Leal is making it possible for people to enjoy their favorite Mexican candy without the added sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired you to start I Love Chamoy?
A: My father’s struggle with diabetes and the lack of sugar-free options available to him.
Q: How did you come up with the perfect formula for your product?
A: We tested over 40 different formulas and spent six months perfecting the recipe.
Q: What was the most challenging part of the process?
A: Figuring out how to make a sugar-free and shelf-stable product. It took a lot of trial and error.
Q: How did you discover the popularly used sweeteners such as Splenda, Stevia, and monk fruit?
A: Through research and testing.
Q: What’s next for I Love Chamoy?
A: We’re focusing on expanding our distribution channels and reaching more customers.
