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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."
1397136 visits and counting.
It’s a day for announcements Just a lot of things to cover.
I’ll start off with that we have a new bean in, that we have not had in some time. The Co-op has really stepped up consistency, so whereas before, this cocoa bean had a good flavor, you had to work a bit for it. […]
Filed under: Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates, Cracking & Winnowing | No Comments »
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 »
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 »
I have a number of refurbished Behmors now available. The are $210 (normally $300) and come with a full warranty.
Also, we should have a couple new beans in next week. The wildly fruity Organic Madagascar and some beautiful and deep toned Fair Trade Ghana from Kuapo Kokoo coop.
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates | 2 Comments »
There are a couple of refurbished Behmors available for those who have been waiting.
Filed under: Products, Roasting, What's new & Updates | No Comments »
My dear partner Penelope put this together, noting that so far there is not one single page outlining the entire chocolate making procedure start to finish. Well, now there is.
Chocolate Making at Home 101
It won’t give you everything you need in detail (hence the ‘101′) but gives a great overview. For all the detailed […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, Refining & Conching, Grinding, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Mussings, Tempering | 5 Comments »
