Product knowledge: Cocoa

Origin and production

The cocoa for the highly de-oiled cocoa powder and Rapunzel drinking chocolates originate from our HAND IN HAND partner ‘Conacado’ in the Dominican Republic. The cocoa trees, which are grown in mixed cultivation with, for instance, bananas, citrus fruit and other shade trees, grow up to 15 m in height. At the same time, they bear fruit and petals. The cocoa fruit is harvested by hand. Each fruit contains around 50 cocoa beans, which are fermented in a so-called ‘sweatbox’ together with the surrounding pulp. When pulp disintegrates, the cocoa beans take on their typical colour. Once the fermentation process is complete, the cocoa beans are dried in the sun for approximately one week. The water content of the beans falls from around 60% to only about 6-8%.

After cleaning, the dried beans are roasted, which brings out additional aromas. The beans are then cracked and ground. The cocoa mass is compacted in hydraulic presses, which causes the clear, golden yellow cocoa butter to become separated, while the so-called press cake remains. The fat content is reduced from more than 50% to between 10% and 22%, depending on the desired level of de-oiling. Rapunzel cocoa powder is supplied highly de-oiled, with a fat content of around 10-12%. The press is then fine-ground to make our Rapunzel cocoa powder.

Production of drinking chocolate

To make Tiger Drinking Chocolate, highly de-oiled cocoa powder is mixed in a special process with Rapunzel whole cane sugar with no further additives; it is then packaged. This is how the fine, homogeneous powder is created. In the case of Tiger Quick Instant Drinking Chocolate, cocoa powder is gently mixed with Cristallino cane sugar. Real bourbon vanilla from organic cultivation is added to refine the flavour. In a special process following mixing, organic sunflower lecithin is sprayed onto the cocoa powder; the individual particles that then form enhance its solubility.

Both Rapunzel drinking chocolate varieties have an above-average cocoa content. While conventional products have an average of 20% cocoa and 80% sugar content, the cocoa content of Tiger drinking chocolate reaches 40%, and that of Tiger Quick drinking chocolate 38%. This means that both drinking chocolate products are of above average quality even when compared with other organic products.

Cocoa - a healthy foodstuff

Cocoa has the reputation of being unhealthy, but this is unfair. It is only when it is combined with sugar, for example in sweets, that this healthy food turns into a calorie bomb. Cocoa contains a relatively low level of fat, about 30% protein, and approximately 33% fibre. Cocoa is rich in minerals, in particular magnesium (approx. 600 mg per 100 g), potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus. Vitamins of the B group and antioxidants such as polyphenols increase its positive effect on our health. It also contains theobromine, which is related to caffeine, and is said to have an uplifting and invigorating effect. The small quantities mean that cocoa is well-tolerated as a pick-me-up for children.