Where the magic happens |
Cocoa tree with pods |
Early in the tour Cutty stopped to show us a cocoa tree with cocoa bean pods.
New shoot on a cocoa tree |
Cocoa bean pod with the sweet, white stuff |
Then Cutty took us to The Grenada Chocolate Company. From their web site - "The Grenada Chocolate Company Ltd. was founded in 1999 with the idea of creating an Organic Cocoa Farmers' and Chocolate-Makers Cooperative. We produce high quality Organic dark chocolate in Grenada with our world famous cocoa beans. Our factory is nestled in lush cocoa groves in Grenada's pristine rainforest."
Edmond -One of three founders. Sadly the only one left alive |
Cocoa bean roaster |
Nib sorter - cracked shells are shed here |
Nib machine again |
This is a small operation but Edmond said they are doing very well. You can buy in local stores (IGA and Foodland) and online for US, EU, UK and international customers.
I did listen closely to Edmond but I really can't remember all the steps. I had chocolate on a big part of my brain so the recollection part was greatly reduced. Sorry.
Did I mention that the smell was.....divine!
The equipment was impressive.
Smilo - Instant Cocoa from The Grenada Chocolate Company |
Love this logo Ron is sporting - Lann and I bought tank tops with this logo. I have it on now. |
They use solar panels to power the machines.
Solar powered |
They have won many awards. I would encourage you to take a look at the full story on their web site. It's pretty impressive. Additionally I have some links below that might interest you as well.
Molten Green
Nothing Like Chocolate
And YES, we did get to sample all the dark chocolate at the end of the tour. Luxuriously dark chocolate in four different levels of cocoa 60%, 71%, 82%, 100% and Nib-A-Licious (nibs -pieces of local cocoa beans in 60% chocolate) as well as a Sea Salt with 60% bar. YUM!!!!!!!!
*The bars are not cheap but so worth the extra cost now that we have seen the process and understand all that they are trying to accomplish.
Now that is artisinal chocolate!
ReplyDeleteThey make lovely chocolate like this in Belize as well. It is good to see that some companies are doing this in an ecologically minded way. Worth paying extra for!
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