SAN FRANCISCO — Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. has launched the "Bring Your Dark to Light" contest, in which consumers are being given the chance to create the next flavor of Intense Dark premium dark chocolate.

Ghirardelli said Thursday that the "flavor creator" with the winning idea will have his or her flavor produced by the company and see it on store shelves next year.

Consumers can submit their original flavor at www.newintensedark.com, where an expert panel of judges will narrow it down to the five most creative flavors. Ghirardelli will then ask consumer to vote on the one they would most like to try, deciding which will be named the winner and become the newest addition to the Intense Dark line. The contest runs through June 30.

Ghirardelli said consumers can choose up to three ingredients and the chocolate intensity. Flavors will be judged based on creativity, originality, ability to be manufactured, and flavor appeal. The chocolate’s original name and story of their creation will also be taken into consideration.

The grand prize winner will enjoy a trip to San Francisco that includes a private tour of Ghirardelli, a weekend getaway in California’s Napa Valley and a $1,000 shopping spree.

Consumers registering their votes for the most creative flavors are automatically entered for a chance to win thousands of instant chocolate prizes, including Intense Dark chocolate bars and gift baskets, and one person will win free Intense Dark chocolate for a year.

The Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate line includes such varieties as Twilight Delight, Evening Dream, Midnight Reverie, Espresso Escape and Toffee Interlude. The chocolates come in bars and bags.

Chain retailers carrying the products include Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop, Supervalu and ShopRite.