Blessed Cacao

01/06/2019

Chief of our chocolate-ops "Putu" makes sure the cacao mass has perfect consistency. And of course, he's showing his best side for the camera.
Putu has been chief of operations at our factory in Bali now for 20+ years, and took a big risk starting this venture.

Balinese people generally don't care for cacao or chocolate - we know cos we've made hundreds of litres of cacao, with infusions ranging from lime, turmeric, ginger, chili, dragon fruit, banana, coffee, etc., and they generally refuse to drink, or take a polite sip/bite, and leave it at that.

Through persistence, high business ethics, and a commitment to the welfare of all members of the cooperative, its turned into a big success. Every month, tons of cacao is shipped from our factory, and the food forest in which the cacao grows is still as abundant as ever.

Thanks, Putu ;) by

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLHQc_gEZl/

01/06/2019

Chief of our chocolate-ops "Putu" makes sure the cacao mass has perfect consistency. And of course, he's showing his best side for the camera.

Putu has been chief of operations at our factory in Bali now for 20+ years, and took a big risk starting this venture.

Balinese people generally don't care for cacao or chocolate - we know cos we've made hundreds of litres of cacao, with infusions ranging from lime, turmeric, ginger, chili, dragon fruit, banana, coffee, etc., and they generally refuse to drink, or take a polite sip/bite, and leave it at that.

Through persistence, high business ethics, and a commitment to the welfare of all members of the cooperative, its turned into a big success. Every month, tons of cacao is shipped from our factory, and the food forest in which the cacao grows is still as abundant as ever.

Thanks, Putu ;)

27/05/2019

Chocolate mass in the making! Cacao beans are fermented for a week, turned three times a day, sun dried, then de-husked and roasted, then pressed to a fine cake.

One kg of this cake is comprised of roughly 5kgs of roasted beans.

Upon pressing it takes on a oily texture, and the white oil(cocoa butter) is seen on the outside. Almost like mycelium on an old piece of wood.

In the step you see here, we're stirring this "cake" at 49 degrees Celsius, as cacao oil melts between 45-49*C.
After stirring for another day, the consistency is a silky smooth liquid, and the smell... oh...Lord, Shiva, Allah, Ishtar, Enki, Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna, Gilgamesh, and all deities - the smell!!! Its OK, we're fine.

Afterwards, we pour the liquid(pressed, heated beans) into shapes and cool them in our refrigerators.
Then at some point its enjoyed as-is, used in ceremonies, put in cakes, smoothies, sauces... whatever you desire.
Every day, the food forest where we grow our cacao trees is blessed three times with an offering, prayer, and chanting, and so is the factory where we process it all.

Honor and respect to you, cacao.

by

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx89FdrgxHE/

27/05/2019

Chocolate mass in the making!

Cacao beans are fermented for a week, turned three times a day, sun dried, then de-husked and roasted, then pressed to a fine cake.

One kg of this cake is comprised of roughly 5kgs of roasted beans.

Upon pressing it takes on a oily texture, and the white oil(cocoa butter) is seen on the outside. Almost like mycelium on an old piece of wood.

In the step you see here, we're stirring this "cake" at 49 degrees Celsius, as cacao oil melts between 45-49*C.

After stirring for another day, the consistency is a silky smooth liquid, and the smell... oh...Lord, Shiva, Allah, Ishtar, Enki, Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna, Gilgamesh, and all deities - the smell!!!

Its OK, we're fine.

Afterwards, we pour the liquid(pressed, heated beans) into shapes and cool them in our refrigerators.

Then at some point its enjoyed as-is, used in ceremonies, put in cakes, smoothies, sauces... whatever you desire.

Every day, the food forest where we grow our cacao trees is blessed three times with an offering, prayer, and chanting, and so is the factory where we process it all.

Honor and respect to you, cacao.

21/05/2019

by

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxvVC7EFIz0/

21/05/2019

07/05/2019

Gliding down the hills leading to Nuwakot to look at another farm! Peace. by

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKm4UIluIL/

07/05/2019

Gliding down the hills leading to Nuwakot to look at another farm! Peace.

27/04/2019

Contrast.