Cacao can be traced back to the ancient civilisations of South America, where the Mayans and Aztecs cultivated cacao trees centuries before our era. The Mayans used cacao as a key ingredient in their precious drink called "xocolatl", which was a spicy and frothy chocolate drink.
After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the Spaniards brought the precious cocoa beans home to Europe. Gradually, cocoa spread around the world as a coveted and luxurious commodity. Today, cocoa is a key ingredient in the production of chocolate and has a fascinating history linking cultures and continents through the ages.
Cocoa pellets from Cluizel
Chocolate pellets from Cluizel are made from high quality raw materials. The cocoa types used are mainly Criollo and Trinitario and the ingredients consist of pure cocoa butter, real bourbon vanilla and cane sugar. They are made with no artificial additives or flavourings, are GMO-free, soy lecithin-free and have full traceability on all ingredients.
The two darkest variants, Dark Kayambe 72 % cocoa and Dark Vanuari 63 % cocoa, are also milk-free and vegan.
Chocolate pellets are more demanding to make, but give a much richer chocolate flavour than cocoa powder. This is best suited to those who want to offer their customers very high quality cocoa and who want to have both dark and light cocoa on their menu.
Dark Kayambe 72 % and Dark Vanuari 63 % can, for example, be used in a rich mocha, a dark cocoa or mixed in a triple chocolate mocha.
Head of department at Solberg & Hansen's concept store, Anette Søberg, prefers Dark Vanuari 63 %:
- It's rich and full-bodied in flavour, but still light enough for "everyone" to enjoy. We use it both with and without syrup.
Milk Vanuari 39 % can, for example, be used in a rich cocoa, a light mocha or mixed with dark chocolate in a mocha. This one has a more milk-chocolate-like flavour that is well liked by children.
Cluizel also offers a white chocolate variant that contains 33 % cocoa. For example, Ivory Elianza can be used in a white mocha, mixed in a triple chocolate mocha or in a light and sweet cocoa.
Chocolate pellets from Cluizel can be ordered here.
"Dark Vanuari 63 % is our favourite!"
- Anette Søberg, department manager in Solberg & Hansen's concept store
Cocoa powder from Zuma
Zuma Hot Chocolate powder is made with quality cocoa from West Africa and is available in two different cocoa levels: 25% cocoa with a sweet milk chocolate flavour, and 33% with a rich bittersweet chocolate flavour. Both are vegan and dairy-free.
Dark Hot Chocolate 33% is Fairtrade and contains only cocoa and sugar, nothing else.
The cocoa powders are easy to use: Stir the powder with a little warm water and top up with velvety smooth, steamed milk.
Cocoa powder from Zuma can be ordered here.
