A cup of hot cocoa is popular with young and old alike, especially in the fall and winter. As a corporate customer, Solberg & Hansen offers high-quality cocoa, both pure chocolate in pellets and cocoa powder. Here you will find answers to everything you need to choose which cocoa is best for you and your company.
Cacao can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of South America, where the Mayans and Aztecs cultivated cacao trees hundreds of years before our time. 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 Spanish brought the precious cocoa beans back to Europe. Gradually, cocoa spread across the world as a sought-after and luxurious commodity. Today, cocoa is a key ingredient in the production of chocolate and has a fascinating history that links cultures and continents through the ages.
Cocoa pellets from Cluizel
Cluizel chocolate pellets 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 without artificial additives or flavorings, 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 dairy-free and vegan.
Chocolate pellets are more demanding to make, but give a much richer chocolate flavor than cocoa powder. This is best suited for those who want to offer their customers a very high quality cocoa and who want to have both dark and light cocoa on the menu.
For example, Dark Kayambe 72% and Dark Vanuari 63% can be used in a rich mocha, a dark cocoa or blended into a triple chocolate mocha.
General Manager of Solberg & Hansen's concept store, Anette Søberg, prefers Dark Vanuari 63%:
- It's rich and full-bodied in flavor, but still light enough for "everyone" to enjoy. We use it both with and without syrup.
For example, Milk Vanuari 39% can be used in a rich cocoa, a light mocha or mixed with dark chocolate in a mocha. This has a more milk chocolate-like flavor that is well liked by children.
Cluizel also offers a white chocolate variant containing 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.
"Dark Vanuari 63% is our favorite!"
Anette Søberg, general manager of S&H 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 taste of milk chocolate, and 33% with a rich taste of bittersweet chocolate. 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 hot water and top up with velvety, steamed milk.
