Belgian chocolatier Leonidas has announced the addition of two new pralines to its Manon collection, one of the company’s most recognisable product lines. The launch introduces Manon Raspberry and Manon Nougatina, designed to extend the appeal of the brand’s longstanding classic.
Manon Raspberry brings a fruity variation with raspberry buttercream paired with praline. Manon Nougatina offers a nut-forward profile, combining hazelnut buttercream and praline with the crunch of nougatine. Both creations remain rooted in the traditional Manon recipe but are adapted to highlight flavours and textures popular with contemporary consumers.
The Manon family, often seen as an emblem of Leonidas’ Belgian praline-making heritage, has long been central to the brand’s identity. By introducing new variations, Leonidas shows an effort to refresh a flagship product while maintaining the characteristics that have made it recognisable to a wide audience.
This launch follows a series of international releases throughout 2025. In the United States, Leonidas presented Easter specials including Dark Chocolate with Violet Cream and Milk Chocolate with Speculoos. In Ireland, the company introduced its seasonal Irrésistibles collection, tapping into summer trends with fruit-inspired pralines such as pink grapefruit and peach. Globally, Leonidas teased Frozettes, frozen pralines with fruity fillings, while Germany saw the launch of a Dark Chocolate Bar with Salted Caramel Feuilletine. The steady cadence of releases suggests a broad strategy of introducing seasonal collections and product novelties across multiple markets.
Leonidas’ 2025 launches show a clear pattern: regular seasonal releases across different markets, often built around classic flavours and textures, or twists on established classics. The two new Manon varieties fit directly into this approach by updating a long-standing bestseller with fresh flavour and texture combinations, keeping the line relevant to changing tastes.
In contrast, Belgian rival Godiva has leaned into diversification and localised innovation. Its 2025 activity includes Lunar New Year assortments in Asia, limited-edition Valentine’s chocolates in Japan, chilled and frozen products in Turkey and Singapore, and even a new “Chocolate Butter” spread. The brand has also pursued high-visibility collaborations, such as with Nintendo in Japan and Labubu in frozen novelties across Asia. These moves illustrate Godiva’s positioning as both a premium gift brand and an experimental player extending beyond traditional chocolate boxes.
Neuhaus has been more selective in its 2025 launches, but with a clear emphasis on high-end craftsmanship. Its Easter eggs featured unusual flavour pairings such as Lemon, Bergamot & Pumpkin Seeds, showing a willingness to experiment with complex taste profiles. The Les Savoureux collection, created with Michelin-starred chef Tim Boury, reinforced this direction by presenting new takes on gianduja through collaborations with the culinary world. Compared to Leonidas’ broad seasonal output and Godiva’s lifestyle diversification, Neuhaus’ strategy places it closer to the fine-dining sphere, using chef partnerships and intricate recipes to underline its luxury positioning.
Across these Belgian rivals, the competitive picture is clear: Leonidas builds on heritage while staying widely accessible through regular international launches; Godiva stretches into lifestyle categories and cultural tie-ins; Neuhaus aligns with luxury dining and chef partnerships. The new Manon Raspberry and Manon Nougatina sit neatly within Leonidas’ trajectory of maintaining classic lines while ensuring a flow of new options that appeal across markets.