What about Whole Cocoa Chocolate?

New Peru Maranon Lot 2 has arrived and let's talk about why cocoa butter is so expensive.

I just had to share a lovely email I recieved.

This week we answer multiple questions and try to bring some science philosophy into the discussion.

It is hard to believe I've not offered a basic chocolate making class in 20 year.  I hope to make this and other more in depth ones a more regular thing. This first one I’m giving a small nod to Fathers and Father’s day. Hint hint.

I have 70% dark chocolate and some 100% cocoa mass. Can I add some mass to the 70% to get to 75% dark?

All markets are built upon the backs of slave labor....until they aren’t

We have a couple new beans, the first, brand new.

At this point, just make the chocolate as you would any other" isn't recipe directions. Would you call it a recipe for oatmeal cookies if I just listed the ingredients and then wrote, "Just make them like you would any other cookie"? Your "recipe" has only left me with dried nibs. Then what???

I’m not joking around today, we’re talking about a sensitive topic in the Chocolate Industry. Cocoa Moths.

Alchemist: How much chocolate have you made?

Petitioner:  You nailed it there! I'm new and haven't made any chocolate yet. My background is manufacturing and I'm just completing an MBA. I am going to be hiring a consultant for picking the right taste profile for my business. My apologies if these questions seem quite ignorant.

I also just watched you winnow using a hair dryer and it looked like it worked well. My only missing piece is cracking the roasted beans. My Question: Rather than purchase a Champion Juicer, I'm wondering if there might be an effective alternate (cheaper) way to accomplish the cracking?

Drum roasters are so expensive.  They are only a drum, motor and some heat.  Isn’t there a cheaper alternative?  Couldn’t I roast in a pan like they do where they make the cocoa beans.  Would you tell me how to do that?  Should I use low or medium heat?

Insert the question of your choice about the big headlines about lead and cadmium in chocolate.

Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving? I know I am, mostly for the time off and spending some lovely time with some friends I’ve not seen in a while.

It kind of feels like 2020 has been an absolute roller coaster of dodgeball played with live ammunition. We were doing ok and then coming into the home stretch of the year is seems we got hit a few times.

I am opening a chocolate factory and want to make the best chocolate and know price is very important to sales. What is the cheapest bean you have? They must support the farmer. And can you turn them into nibs for me so I don’t need to buy so much expensive equipment.