What Is a Cacao Cut Test & When Is it Useful?
You may have seen striking images of bisected cacao beans. These vivid purple slices aren’t just for show – they’re part of an evaluation method...
Tag: cacao
What Is Witches’ Broom & How Does It Affect Cacao?
Like any other plant, cacao is vulnerable to pests and diseases. One of the most damaging infections is witches’ broom, an aggressive fungus that can...
Is Producing Fine Cacao Worth It?
In a small village on the shore of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, I recently purchased a pound of cacao beans from a local vendor. They cost...
What’s The Difference Between Cacao & Cocoa?
Is it cacao or cocoa? Depending on where you are and what kind of chocolate you buy, you may see one of these words more...
Dark, Milk, White… & Ruby? The Different Chocolates Explained
What’s the difference between dark, milk, and white chocolate? Is white chocolate even chocolate and does milk chocolate really contain milk? Is fine chocolate always...
Raw Cacao: Health Food or Dangerous Habit?
You may have seen raw cacao nibs on the shelves of your local health food store. Perhaps you’ve read about the benefits of this so-called...
Sweet Treats: How Is Fine Chocolate Made?
Whether it’s a delicious 80% Ghanan dark chocolate, a vanilla-infused Peruvian chocolate bonbon, or even a specialty hot cocoa, your favorite sweet treat begins life...
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: What Does This Label Really Mean?
Countless artisanal chocolate bars bear the label “bean to bar”. Chocolatiers will proudly point to it as a sign of quality. But what does it...
How to Evaluate Cacao & Chocolate
Looking to improve your understanding of cacao and chocolate? This delicious food increases our happiness, is a common gift on dates, and was famously used...