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"It is dark as the AlChemist walks along the corridor, rough stone under his feet, air warmed from well smoldering hearth fires stirring his cowl. He opens a hewn timber door, worn smooth at the threshold over years of use. He breaths deeply the comforting smells of this laboratory. Hints of wood and smoke linger in the air from the last time he roasted raw materials for his elixirs. Another smell, heady and almost intoxicating, brings a smile to his face as he remembers the smell wafting up as he was last grinding his pastes and powders. He looks about. Everything is in place. The roasting drum is cool in the hearth. The mortars and pestles are laid out neat and tidy, only a small amount of deep brown paste marring their finish. The cracking mill is sitting ready, waiting for the next batch to be crushed fresh out of the roaster. It is time to begin his magic, his devotion, his passion, his Alchemy, yet again. He prepares himself for the work ahead. The roasting, the cracking, the winnowing, the grinding, the mixing. The transformation of base materials into something more than they were. The transformation of cocoa beans to chocolate, the work of Chocolate Alchemy."
1118753 visits and counting.
While roasting up my samples of the up coming Tanzanian cocoa (it’s in - look for it over the weekend), I noticed how picture perfect it roasted up. They went from a slightly rough surface to a nice smooth surface. Just what you want to aim for. Also, unlike coffee, note there is not really […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Mussings | No Comments »
I am back from my mother’s memorial service, and like is (mostly) back to normal. All orders that have come in since we were closed should go out Monday. Thank you again for all your understanding.
So far, I like the results of the flat rate pricing for the Peru beans. With that in mind, I […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, What's new & Updates | No Comments »
Just a few notes before I am gone for a bit.
The first of course is that we will be closed for the next week while I am taking care of family medical issues. As I type this, all orders that came in before 5 am, Friday 27, PST, have been packed and shipped. Any that […]
Filed under: Cocoa Beans, What's new & Updates | No Comments »
We have a new large and beautiful lot of cocoa from Peru. It is Organic, Fair trade and has quite a lot of Criollo character to it, not to mention paper thin husk. Plus soft fruit aromas and flavors like banana and mango. I have a limited supply so I am also trying a new […]
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I have another refurbished Behmor in less than pristine condition.
The Good - no roasts on it except the one QC roast and I am offering it at a further discount.
The Bad - UPS returned this on with their own special touch. They banged the left side and door pretty well. It is fully functional, but […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, What's new & Updates | 2 Comments »
It’s been a bit I know.
New beans should be in within the next month. Some new Panama, hopefully some Ocumare and Cuyagua, plus two new origins, Nicaragua and Peru.
Also, I am offering what I hope are some very incentive laden deals on the Behmor. I have currently decided to not restock new Behmor for a […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates | 4 Comments »
