CocoaTalk

Coffee and cacao are paired by habit: espresso with a square of dark chocolate, coffee added to chocolate desserts. But have you ever wondered why they pair so well together? Coffee beans and cacao be … read more

If you made it to this corner of the internet, chances are you are well aware that not all cacao is created equal. But what actually makes one cacao bean more valuable than another? Is it the variety? … read more

TL;DR The beans for cacao and cocoa come from the same plant, Theobroma cacao. Understanding the cocoa vs cacao distinction comes down to processing, not origin. Global cocoa prices rose 310% and hit … read more

What Is Fine Aroma Cacao, Anyway? Fine aroma cacao is rare. It accounts for only around 12% of world cocoa bean exports, and yet it is the ingredient that defines the flavor ceiling for the finest cho … read more

TL;DR Direct trade cacao describes a sourcing relationship between a buyer and a producer, not a certified product. Just because a brand labels their cacao "direct trade" does not automatically mean f … read more

TL;DR Depending on the cacao variety, about  10% to 30% of the total pulp is drained before fermentation begins,  a process called pre-draining or de-mucilaging, which makes cacao pulp one o … read more

This is a helpful guide when choosing what cacao powder type is best for you. We will cover the most important factors to consider, and how flavor, texture, color, and functionality are affected. aaaa … read more

Cacao is known to be versatile, but there are scientific reasons why some combinations work consistently while others simply fall flat. It’s driven by its structure: bitterness levels, fat conte … read more

Everyone in the chocolate world can identify Ecuador as an elite origin for cacao. However, not everyone knows how much it can vary within such a small country.  Ecuador is just the size of Color … read more

Infusing Flavor: Using Cacao Husks in Beers Cacao nibs get all the credit when it comes to brewing chocolate beers, but they aren’t the only tool in the toolbox for getting chocolaty flavors fro … read more