WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - As you shop for Easter, we probably don’t have to tell you that candy is more expensive this year -- especially chocolate. But sweet treats still make up the bulk of Easter gift-giving.

At Mars Wrigley headquarters in Newark, N.J., planning for this year’s Easter candy started about two years ago.

Joyce Street does a lot of smelling and tasting in her role as senior director of product development. She’s responsible for 26 brands, including Snickers, Skittles and M&Ms.

“I have the best job ever,” Street said. “I eat candy every day.”

There’s a procedure when taste-testing ingredients or potential products, including salt-free crackers and water to cleanse the palate, and sometimes not swallowing.

“You just can’t eat every product that you’re tasting,” Street said. “So just like wine, we do sometimes have to use a spit cup. Not today, though.”

There’s plenty on the line here, with cocoa prices hitting record highs after bad storms, plant disease and demand for chocolate all spiking costs. Inflation has also driven up prices for other candies.

Still, the National Retail Federation said that’s not negatively affecting Easter spending, projecting $23.6 billion in sales this year, near record levels, and 92 percent of consumers expected to purchase candy.

Easter products from Mars Wrigley include a redesigned recipe and packaging for Snickers eggs. The company’s sales and marketing divisions develop ideas for new candies like the freeze-dried Skittles Pop’d Sour, released in January.

Street’s team came up with the recipe, which was extensively tested. She’s ready to help the easter bunny impress kids with those candy-filled baskets.