Chocolate for Africa!
Afrikoa Fair Trade African Chocolate: Made in Africa, for Africa
We’re highlighting one of our latest, socially conscious additions to our exclusive range of gifts.
When it comes to home-grown goodness, Afrikoa take the chocolate cake.
That’s because their decadent chocolate is produced entirely on our continent, from bean to bar, and helps to uplift African farmers.
Empowering African Cocoa Bean Farmers
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s cocoa beans are farmed in Africa. However, most of this is shipped to Europe or the USA, where it’s turned into chocolate and then returned to African shores. Not only is this process lengthy (during which time the beans lose a much of their natural flavour), but it results in farmers losing precious profit to intermediaries.
Afrikoa is changing this dialogue. Their cocoa beans have never left the African continent.
As South Africa’s first bean-to-bar company trading directly with African cocoa farmers, Afrikoa is paving the way to a brighter future. Their mission is to support farmers and their local communities, by growing the art of chocolate making in Africa.
By trading directly with farmers, Afrikoa eliminates the middlemen, ensuring farmers make an astounding 250% more profit from their produce. This helps them secure the most exceptional quality beans, resulting in a superior flavour to tantalise your taste buds. It’s a win-win for everyone concerned.
“While direct trade is a challenge very few chocolate makers undertake, we believe in it because sometimes the right way isn’t always the easiest way”.- Afrikoa
The Search For Africa’s Finest Cocoa Beans
Head Chocolate Maker, Antonio Allegra, combed the African continent to find the finest possible quality cocoa beans. During his search, he stumbled across a small, rural region (Keyla) in Tanzania. There he met Castor Sanga and Simon Mwakyusa, the leaders of two groups of extremely passionate farmers.
Castor and Simon were frustrated with the traditional system. Despite their passion, hard work and excellent-quality cocoa beans, their efforts reaped little reward. During their meeting, the mutual benefits each stood to gain were apparent and Antonio felt compelled to form a sustainable partnership.
Antonio Says: “We believe that this partnership, which treats the farmers with fairness, dignity and respect is the future of chocolate and one that also means you can enjoy our chocolate knowing that you are encouraging a sustainable future for these 60 farmers and their families.”
Having such a close relationship with the cocoa farmers allows Afrikoa to collaborate with the farmers to grow the perfect beans for chocolate making. While most of these farmers can’t afford to pay for official organic certification, Antonio ensures that their beans are grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticide.
An “Eyes-Closed Moment To Savour”
The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Afrikoa was awarded a two-star rating at the UK’s Great Taste Awards 2018. Judges described Afrikoa’s 55% semi-sweet chocolate as an “eyes-closed moment to savour”. To be awarded a two-star is an extreme honour, as less than 10% of entries make the cut.
Why Choosing A Sustainably Produced Gift Is Important
Choosing a sustainably-produced gift does so much more than giving your recipient some serious feels.
By supporting brands like Afrikoa, you’re making an active contribution to entrepreneurship and fair trade. It means that you are giving back to the community, the environment as well as ensuring a future for these benevolent businesses.