we work with and train local fermentation experts – ensuring higher quality chocolate and increasing their revenue. We believe this is the only way to address cocoa supply chain issues meaningfully.”
Journey to the Ivory Coast
One of the countries where Cacao-Trace continues to have an important impact is the Ivory Coast, where the sustainable cocoa sourcing programme was introduced in 2015. through a network of 17 co-operatives. Tracey highlighted that the positive changes from the Cacao-Trace programme were clear across the plantations she visited on the trip. One of the key highlights was her outing to Dotou, to experience a day in the life of a farm worker – and the work and care that it takes to create great-tasting cocoa. The team conducted essential tree care, harvested pods, broke them and removed the cocoa beans ready for the next stage of the process – fermentation. “The standards of the farms we visited was high, with cocoa trees being well looked after and plenty of healthy cocoa pods,” says Tracey. Another key moment of the trip for Tracey was visiting the Puratos post-harvest centre in Adjamené to see fermentation in progress. Fermentation itself takes place in wooden boxes, followed by drying to reach 8% humidity or lower, to keep the unique taste of the beans. The beans are then transferred for low temperature “You could see the long-term positive impact of the Cacao-Trace programme at every step of the trip – how it provides the farming community with all the skills required for a career with see the wooden box fermenters at Adjamené and witness how community members – trained to become professional Cacao-Trace fermentation masters – process the beans on a day-to-day that choosing Cacao-Trace chocolate makes reinforces why we’ve made that commitment and adds weight to our message when talking to employees and customers about why choosing sustainably is so important.”
In Dotou Tracey experienced a day in the life of a farm worker, conducting tree care,
harvesting pods, and removed the cocoa beans ready for the next stage of the process.
Cocoa community at its core During the trip, the impact of Cacao-Trace on the local farming community became clear, too. The Chocolate Bonus can be given to farming communities as community projects instead of cash donations – with many choosing to invest in better education and healthcare facilities. In the Ivory
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