To'ak Chocolate
To'ak Chocolate is an Ecuadorian company founded in 2013 by Jerry Toth and Carl Schweizer. To’ak (pronounced Toe-Ahk).[1] They created the luxury brand: To'ak Chocolate. The chocolate bars are produced with the very rare variety of Arriba cacao called Nacional cocoa,[2] which some experts formerly believed to be extinct[3]. It is said to have more floral notes and richness of flavors than any other cacao variety.[4][5] The Heirloom Nacional cacao bar produced by To'ak Chocolate is considered to be the most expensive chocolate bar in the world[6]
Chocolate bars
The chocolate bars are produced using the rare Nacional variety of cocoa bean, which some experts thought was extinct.[7][8] Groves of cocoa trees producing the Nacional variety were discovered in the valley of Piedra de Plata located in the mountains of the Arriba cacao-growing region of Ecuador, in the province called Manabi. DNA analysis confirmed that the beans were comprised purely of the Nacional genotype.[7][9][10]
The chocolate bar is handcrafted, and production involves fermenting the cocoa beans.[11][12][13][14] It has been considered to be one of the most expensive in the world, with prices ranging from $270-$375 for a 50-gram bar.[11][15][16][17][18][19] The chocolate bar is composed entirely of the Nacional cocoa bean, with a slight amount of cane sugar added.[7][15] In the middle of the bar is a single roasted cacao bean, showcasing the unadulterated flavor of Nacional Cacao and serving as a reminder where chocolate comes from.[20] To'ak chocolate is pure chocolate, not embellished with nuts, gold dust, or ganache, as is the case with some of the world's other expensive chocolates.[21] Each bar of chocolate comes in a Spanish Elm wooden box and has the individual bar number engraved in the back.[22][23]
The company's products include the Vintage 2014 edition that was aged for three years in a French oak cognac cask.[24] The company ages bars in wood casks and empty spirit casks.[25][26] They have been described as a "boundary-pushing chocolate company"[27] for launching a bar of dark chocolate that has been aged for 18 months in a 50-year-old Cognac cask.[28][29][30] They have also aged chocolate for 2 years in a Laphroaig Islay whisky cask.[31][32][33]
Socially responsible business model
In January of 2016, To’ak’s cacao was designated Heirloom by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP).[34][35] To’ak also has social and environmental objectives in mind. Their product is organic and fair trade and they partner with the Ecuador-based rainforest conservation foundation Third Millennium Alliance.[36] To’ak and the foundation are currently working together to preserve this endangered cacao variety by DNA grafting and planting of new seedlings in a protected area in Ecuador[37][38] To'ak co-founder, Jerry Toth, has written a Nacional cacao conservation blog which serves as an extensive guide for environmentally friendly cacao cultivation techniques based on permaculture.[39]
Additional activities
The company provides lodging accommodations at its rural farm, named Finca Sarita.[11][12][40] The company has also been involved with Washington State University, in a partnership involving the research of tannins.[41]
See also
References
- ↑ "Welcome to the world of extreme chocolate and the duo that aim to restore the delicacy to its once sacred status". Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "What is Heirloom Cacao". hcpcacao.org. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "GENETICS – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "What is Heirloom Cacao". hcpcacao.org. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ Fabricant, Florence (2011). "Rare Cacao Beans Discovered in Peru". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "This is the world's most expensive chocolate bar". CNBC. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- 1 2 3 Scheffler, Daniel (September 30, 2015). "Fine chocolates now appreciated by connoisseurs as a luxury product". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ "GENETICS – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ Goldberg, Haley (October 31, 2015). "These high-end candies cost hundreds of dollars". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ "This chocolate bar costs $260". Fortune. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- 1 2 3 Kase, Aaron (September 26, 2016). "Stay on the Ecuador farm that produces the world's most expensive chocolate". The Guardian. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- 1 2 Kavilanz, Parija (February 12, 2015). "Is this the world's most expensive chocolate?". CNN Money. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ Tufano, Lizzie Schiffman (December 2, 2014). "Why Does This Bar of Chocolate Cost $260?". Modern Farmer. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ Conrad, Marissa (November 28, 2014). "At $173 An Ounce, Is This The World's Most Expensive Chocolate?". Forbes. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- 1 2 Virbilam, Irene S. (November 26, 2014). "This $260 chocolate bar might just be worth it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ Kitson, Melissa (April 5, 2016). "The Real Cost of Chocolate Is More Than You Think". Vice. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ Karydes, Megy (November 7, 2014). "This chocolate bar costs $260". Fortune. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ "The most expensive chocolate in the world" (in Arabic). Al Bawaba. February 9, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Would You Pay €315 for the World's Most Expensive Chocolate Bar? | TheTaste.ie". TheTaste.ie. 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "Fine chocolates now appreciated by connoisseurs as a luxury product". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "Here's what a $260 bar of chocolate looks like". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "Fine chocolates now appreciated by connoisseurs as a luxury product". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "These high-end candies cost hundreds of dollars". New York Post. 2015-10-31. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
- ↑ "Welcome to the world of extreme chocolate and the duo that aim to restore the delicacy to its once sacred status". Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "To'ak Chocolate". Touch of Modern. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "THE WORLD'S FIRST VINTAGE CHOCOLATE Aged for 18 months, launching for Easter 2016 – Luxuria Lifestyle". Luxuria Lifestyle International. 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "THE WORLD'S FIRST VINTAGE CHOCOLATE Aged for 18 months, launching for Easter 2016 – Luxuria Lifestyle Dubai & Abu Dhabi". Luxuria Lifestyle Dubai & Abu Dhabi. 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "To'ak Chocolate". Robb Report. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "To'ak Dark Chocolate, Aged for 18 Months in a Vintage Cognac Cask, Sells for $345 Per Bar". RealClearLife. 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "Vintage Chocolate by To'ak for Easter". LUXUO. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "These $365 Chocolate Bars Might Be the Rarest in the World". Tasting Table. 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ Guide, Forbes Travel. "A Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide For Luxury Travelers". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "Laphroaig Lore and To'ak Chocolate Contest – Laphroaig". Laphroaig. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ "ABOUT – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "Heirloom Cacao 9". hcpcacao.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "GENETICS – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "ABOUT – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "Welcome to the world of extreme chocolate and the duo that aim to restore the delicacy to its once sacred status". Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "ABOUT – NACIONAL CACAO CONSERVATION". nacionalcacaoconservation.org. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ↑ "Would You Pay €315 for the World's Most Expensive Chocolate Bar? | TheTaste.ie". TheTaste.ie. 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ↑ Weybright, Scott (February 10, 2016). "Wine and chocolate, with tannins as cupid". Washington State University News. Retrieved October 28, 2017.