Creating value through Great Taste
Our approach enhances cocoa flavor and quality at every step. The extra value created from this higher quality is shared with cocoa farming communities, creating a sustainable future for cocoa and delivering exceptional taste to chocolate lovers.
The better the beans, the better the chocolate
At each step of the bean processing, we apply our four-pillar strategy. We define high-quality standards, develop adapted professional equipment, define the right process, and empower people for a long-term impact.
-
High-Quality Standards
-
Professional Equipment
-
Optimized Process
-
Empowered People
High-quality wet beans
We train cocoa farmers year-round to improve their yield and quality. From the first harvest, only the best beans are selected. These high-quality wet beans undergo strict quality control at our Cacao-Trace post-harvest centers. Farmers who meet Cacao-Trace standards benefit from a better income through a Quality Premium paid on top of the farmgate price.
Mastered Fermentation
Fermentation is essential to the rich flavor of your chocolate, much like it is for wine. Just as winemakers carefully ferment grapes to develop complex flavors, we meticulously ferment cocoa beans to enhance the taste of your chocolate. We establish Post-Harvest Centers in local communities, where we use special wooden boxes for fermenting cocoa beans, similar to the vats used in winemaking. We also train community members to become experts in this process. Our fermentation lasts 6 to 7 days and is customized to the local beans, ensuring the best taste for the chocolate made from them, just as the fermentation process is tailored to different grape varieties to produce the finest wines.
Play the video to discover more.
Sun-drying
At Cacao-Trace, we go beyond conventional drying methods by ensuring beans are professionally dried in our advanced post-harvest centers. We invest in efficient, hygienic sun dryers managed by Cacao-Trace experts, ensuring an optimized drying process of 6-11 days to maintain the highest quality beans. Our strict Dry Cocoa guidelines ensure the beans’ highest quality, flavor, and preservation.
Low-roasting
We redefine the roasting process with gentle, customized techniques. By adjusting the temperature and duration for each cocoa bean origin, we maximize their unique qualities, setting a new standard for quality and flavor in the chocolate industry.
