Difference between revisions of "Madagascar Chocolate"

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'''Madagascar is not widely known for making chocolate, at least not like the chocolate nations of Switzerland and Belgium. But as many chocolate experts would likely agree, Madagascar is a high quality cocoa producing nation boasting two major bean-to-bar chocolate factories, making especially dark and delicious chocolates from naturally organic cocoa grown in the northwest [[Ambanja]] region of the country.'''
+
'''Madagascar is not widely known for making chocolate, at least not like the chocolate nations of Switzerland and Belgium. But as most chocolate experts agree, Madagascar is a high quality cocoa producing nation boasting two major bean-to-bar chocolate factories, making especially dark and above all delicious chocolates from naturally organic cacao grown in the northwest [[Ambanja]] region of the country.'''
  
 
{| class="captionTable" style="border-spacing: 4px;"
 
{| class="captionTable" style="border-spacing: 4px;"
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|align="right" style="padding: 2px 0px 2px 0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 020.jpg|195px]]
 
|align="right" style="padding: 2px 0px 2px 0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 020.jpg|195px]]
 
|-
 
|-
|colspan="3"|[[File:Magnify-clip.png|right|link=File:Chocolaterie_Robert_024.jpg]]Pralines sold at Robert's ''La Chocolatiére'' boutique in [[Antananarivo]]
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|colspan="3"|[[File:Magnify-clip.png|right|link=File:Chocolaterie_Robert_024.jpg]]Pralines sold at one of Robert's ''[[La Chocolatière]]'' boutiques in [[Antananarivo]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
Madagascar has in fact a long history of chocolate production, dating back to the early years of the French colonial times, 1937 to be precise. In those days, Madagascar was a major cocoa exporter in supplying a metropolitan France. Today Madagascar's cocoa production is tiny in comparison to for example the Ivory Coast, which produces about 38% of the world's cocoa, while almost all cocoa grown in Madagascar come from an area about 50-kilometre in radius and represents less than 1% of the world's cocoa production. The cocoa plantations can be found within the Ambanja district in [[Sambirano]], an area named after a river which runs through the countryside from the foothills of Madagascar's highest peak into the Indian Ocean. The soil by the Sambirano riverbed and its surrounding cocoa plantations is highly enriched with minerals and nutrients due to the natural sesonal flooding of the river. Unlike cocoa producing regions in most other countries, the Sambirano area is unique in that it yields cocoa all year round. There are plenty of Criollo (the best cocoa beans), Forastero (the most common variety) and Trinitario (a cross between Criollo and Forastero).
+
Madagascar has in fact a long history of chocolate production, dating back to the French colonial times, 1937 to be precise. In those days, Madagascar was a major cocoa exporter in supplying a metropolitan France. Today Madagascar's cocoa production is tiny in comparison to for example Ivory Coast, which produces about 38% of the world's cocoa. Almost all cacao grown in Madagascar come from an area about 50 kilometres in radius and represents less than 1% of the world's cocoa production. The cacao plantations can be found in the [[Sambirano]] region within the Ambanja district. The area is named after the Sambirano River which runs from the foothills of Madagascar's highest peak [[Maromokotro]] through the Sambirano Valley and the countryside and eventually into the Indian Ocean. Due to natural sesonal flooding of the river, the soil along the Sambirano riverbed and its surrounding cacao plantations are highly enriched with minerals and nutrients. Unlike cacao producing regions in other countries, the Sambirano region is unique in that it yields cacao all year round. There are plenty of Criollo (the highest quality cacao beans), Forastero (the most commonly found variety) and Trinitario (a cross between Criollo and Forastero).
  
 
[[File:Cinagra 070.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Crushed Malagasy cocoa with splinters of cocoa nibs ready for processing into liquid chocolate]]
 
[[File:Cinagra 070.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Crushed Malagasy cocoa with splinters of cocoa nibs ready for processing into liquid chocolate]]
  
Most if not all cocoa plantations in Madagascar are small family run farms, who have been growing cocoa in a natural environment without the use of fertilisers or other mass farming methods for generations. And while slave labour is commonly reported in the cocoa industry, especially in the Ivory Coast, it is not existing in Madagascar. Much of Sambirano's cocoa trees stand on former fruit plantations dating back to the French colonial period. The resulting cocoa has strong hints of citrus fruit and is naturally sweet, which makes the cocoa especially suitable for producing non-bitter dark chocolates without use of excessive sugar content or other additives. Furthermore, the final Madagascar chocolate product is usually rich in antioxidant flavoinoids and other healthy and reputedly aphrodisiac ingredients found in high proportions in pure Malagasy cocoa. <!--(phenylethylamine??)-->
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Most cacao plantations in Madagascar are small farms run by families who have been growing cacao in their natural environment without use of fertilisers and mass farming methods for generations. While slave labour is commonly reported in the cacao industry, especially in Ivory Coast, it is non-existent in Madagascar. Much of Sambirano's cacao trees stand on former fruit plantations dating back to the French colonial times. The resulting cocoa has hints of citrus fruit and is naturally sweet, which makes the Malagasy cocoa especially suitable for production of non-bitter dark chocolate without use of excessive sugar content or other additives. Furthermore, the final Madagascar chocolate product is usually rich in antioxidant flavoinoids as well as other healthy and reputedly aphrodisiac ingredients found in high proportions in pure Malagasy cacao. <!--(phenylethylamine??)-->
  
[[Chocolaterie Robert]] and [[Cinagra]] are the only two bean-to-bar chocolate producers in Madagascar. Their chocolate is of single Malagasy origin, meaning they grow their own cocoa as well as make their chocolates within Madagascar.
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[[Chocolaterie Robert]] and [[Cinagra]] are the only two bean-to-bar chocolate producers in Madagascar. Their chocolates are of single origin, using cacao grown in Madagascar with their products made and packaged entirely in Madagascar.
  
Chocolaterie Robert dates back to 1937, when a French couple, Mr and Mrs Robert, set up Madagascar's first chocolate factory in [[Brickaville]]. Today, Chocolaterie Robert's bars can be found everywhere in Madagascar, from small village shops to upmarket confectionery stores in metropolitan areas. In 2006 Chocolaterie Robert's ''Mora Mora'' and ''Sambirano'' brands respectively won the Chocolate Academy's Silver Cup and the Best Buy Ethical Award.
+
Chocolaterie Robert dates back to 1937, when a French couple, Mr and Mrs Robert, set up Madagascar's first chocolate factory in [[Brickaville]]. Today, Chocolaterie Robert's bars can be found everywhere in Madagascar, from small village shops to upmarket confectionery stores in metropolitan areas. In 2006 Chocolaterie Robert's ''Mora Mora'' and ''Sambirano'' brands respectively won the Chocolate Academy's Silver Cup and the Best Buy Ethical Award. In 2013 Robert launched a range of bars branded [[Chocolat Madagascar]] intended mainly for export.
  
 
[[File:Cinagra 013.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Cinagra Tsar Noir 100%]]  
 
[[File:Cinagra 013.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Cinagra Tsar Noir 100%]]  
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|-
 
|-
 
|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 023.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's headquarter and factory in Antananarivo]]
 
|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 023.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's headquarter and factory in Antananarivo]]
|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 017.jpg|292px|thumb|none|A classic milk chocolate (34% cocoa) from Chocolaterie Robert]]
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|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 044.jpg|292px|thumb|none|
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Chocolaterie Robert's 61% cocoa, kaffir lime and Fleur de Sel bar and the 68% cocoa bar with cocoa nibs]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 038.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Malagasy workers at the Cinagra factory packaging fine chocolate bars by hand]]
 
|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 038.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Malagasy workers at the Cinagra factory packaging fine chocolate bars by hand]]
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|}
 
|}
  
The more recently established Cinagra company has been making chocolate at their [[Antananarivo]] based factory since 2006, also using single origin cocoa grown on plantations within the Sambirano region. In 2009 their 63% cocoa based ''Tsar'' bar won the first price at the [http://www.salon-du-chocolat.com Salon de Chocolat Paris] in France. Since 2008, Cinagra produces chocolate for [[Madécasse]] - a US importer and brand, sold primarily in the US and Canada.
+
The more recently established Chocolaterie Cinagra has been making chocolate at their [[Antananarivo]] based factory since 2006, also using single origin cacao grown on plantations within the Sambirano region. In 2009 their 63% cocoa based ''Tsar'' bar won first price at the [http://www.salon-du-chocolat.com Salon de Chocolat Paris] in France. Since 2008, Cinagra produces chocolate for [[Madécasse]] - a US importer and brand, sold primarily in the US and Canada as well as Germany.
  
A third, small but nonetheless appreciated Madagascar chocolate brand is [[Chocolaterie Colbert]]. Although they do not buy cocoa beans directly from farmers and process them and can therefore not be classified a bean-to-bar producer, Colbert's recipes are their own and since they do buy processed cocoa from both Chocolaterie Robert and Cinagra, their final products are of single Malagasy origin. Colbert's highly priced range of pralines and chocolate bars is sold only at the [[Pâtisserie Colbert]] in Antananarivo, part of [[Hotel Colbert]]. Their bars and pralines, handmade and gift-wrapped by a small team of talented chocolatiers, are always sold fresh at the counter and make ideal presents for special occasions.<br clear="all">
+
A third, smaller but nonetheless appreciated Madagascar chocolate brand is [[Chocolaterie Colbert]]. Although they do not buy and process cacao beans directly from farmers and can therefore not be classified a bean-to-bar producer, Colbert's recipes are their own and since they do buy processed cocoa from both Chocolaterie Robert and Cinagra, their final products are of single Malagasy origin. Colbert's highly priced range of pralines and chocolate bars is sold only at the [[Pâtisserie Colbert]] in Antananarivo, part of [[Hotel Colbert]]. Their bars and pralines, handmade and gift-wrapped by a small team of talented chocolatiers, are always fresh at the counter and make ideal presents for special occasions.<br clear="all">
  
 
[[File:Chocolaterie Colbert 01.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Colbert's dedicated team of chocolatiers proudly presenting their freshly made pralines]]
 
[[File:Chocolaterie Colbert 01.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Colbert's dedicated team of chocolatiers proudly presenting their freshly made pralines]]
  
Madagascar is not a highly industrialised nation by any measure, including its farming methods. Malagasy cocoa therefore remains relatively short in supply. Perhaps it explains why Madagascar chocolates are not easily found in stores outside Madagascar. A tip for anyone visiting the large island: Buy and bring as much as you can of Robert's, Cinagra's and Colbert's bars and pralines back with you home, because you will not likely find as high quality chocolate at a same price anywhere else in the world!
+
Madagascar is not a highly industrialised nation by any measure, including its farming methods. Malagasy cacao therefore remains relatively short in supply. Perhaps this is why Madagascar's chocolate brands are not easily found in stores outside Madagascar. In fact, at the time of writing, chocolate brands made as well as sold in Madagascar are available only in a few select stores in France, South Africa and Japan. A tip for anyone visiting the large island: Bring as many of Robert's, Cinagra's and Colbert's bars and pralines as possible back home, as you will not likely find as high quality chocolate at as reasonable prices elsewhere in the world!
  
----
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== Additional information ==
  
For those who do not have the opportunity to buy chocolate directly in Madagasar, there are various brands sold and produced in factories outside Madagascar using Malagasy exported cocoa:  
+
Visit the individual pages about the three Madagascar chocolate makers:
  
* [[Patric Chocolate]] - a US-based micro, bean-to-bar, chocolate maker.
+
* [[Chocolaterie Robert]]
* [[Amano Chocolate|Amano Artisan Chocolate]] A US-based bean-to-bar chocolate factory making a 70% Malagasay cocoa bar.
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* [[Cinagra|Chocolaterie Cinagra]]
* [[Coppeneur Chocolate]] - a German chocolate maker (has a small cocoa plantation on Nosy Be Island).
+
* [[Chocolaterie Colbert]]
* [[Madécasse]] A chocolate produced in Madagascar by Cinagra and exported to the US and Canada.
+
 
* [http://www.lindt.com/au/noswf/eng/products/excellence/excellence-madagascar Lindt] Excellence Madagascar range.
+
If you can't buy chocolate in Madagascar, various chocolate makers in other countries offer [[Chocolate makers using Madagascar cocoa|Madagascar cocoa based chocolate]], either made from bean to bar or from pre-crushed cocoa exported from Madagascar. However, such brands are mostly available in specialised gourmet chocolate stores, usually at relatively high prices.
* [http://www.ilovao.com VAO VAO] a chocolate produced in Madagascar by Chocolaterie Robert and exported to the US.
 
* [http://www.roguechocolatier.com/products-page Sambirano] by Rougue Chocolatier.
 
* [[J.D. Gross Madagaskar| Madagaskar]] A chocolate by J.D. Gross, sold only in German supermarket ''Lidl''.
 
* [[Madanga]] - a 39% cocoa bar made by German chocolate maker ''Rausch Schokolade''.
 
* [http://www.pierreherme.com/e-gourmandises/product.cgi?pid=31&cwsid=9729phAC194316ph3157521&gclid=CIHRyv761aYCFQY03wodRhkpHg Pierre Hermé Paris] a 75% Madagascar cocoa chocolate sold in France.
 
* [http://www.chocolate-bars.co.uk/lightly-salted-pistachio-milk-chocolate-block Thorntons] a 32% Madagascar cocoa bar.
 
* [http://www.chocolatereviews.co.uk/madagascar-75-single-origin-dark-chocolate/ Pralus] a 75% Madagascar cocoa bar sold mainly in France.
 
<!--
 
== Additional information ==
 
  
* http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/MAIN/chocolate/lindt-excellence-chocolate.asp
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== External link ==
* http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=481
 
* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10986625
 
  
-->
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* http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/KKO-International-met-le-cap-sur,22293.html

Latest revision as of 16:39, 26 April 2024

Madagascar is not widely known for making chocolate, at least not like the chocolate nations of Switzerland and Belgium. But as most chocolate experts agree, Madagascar is a high quality cocoa producing nation boasting two major bean-to-bar chocolate factories, making especially dark and above all delicious chocolates from naturally organic cacao grown in the northwest Ambanja region of the country.

Chocolaterie Robert 024.jpg
Chocolaterie Robert 027.jpg Chocolaterie Robert 019.jpg Chocolaterie Robert 020.jpg
Magnify-clip.png
Pralines sold at one of Robert's La Chocolatière boutiques in Antananarivo

Madagascar has in fact a long history of chocolate production, dating back to the French colonial times, 1937 to be precise. In those days, Madagascar was a major cocoa exporter in supplying a metropolitan France. Today Madagascar's cocoa production is tiny in comparison to for example Ivory Coast, which produces about 38% of the world's cocoa. Almost all cacao grown in Madagascar come from an area about 50 kilometres in radius and represents less than 1% of the world's cocoa production. The cacao plantations can be found in the Sambirano region within the Ambanja district. The area is named after the Sambirano River which runs from the foothills of Madagascar's highest peak Maromokotro through the Sambirano Valley and the countryside and eventually into the Indian Ocean. Due to natural sesonal flooding of the river, the soil along the Sambirano riverbed and its surrounding cacao plantations are highly enriched with minerals and nutrients. Unlike cacao producing regions in other countries, the Sambirano region is unique in that it yields cacao all year round. There are plenty of Criollo (the highest quality cacao beans), Forastero (the most commonly found variety) and Trinitario (a cross between Criollo and Forastero).

Crushed Malagasy cocoa with splinters of cocoa nibs ready for processing into liquid chocolate

Most cacao plantations in Madagascar are small farms run by families who have been growing cacao in their natural environment without use of fertilisers and mass farming methods for generations. While slave labour is commonly reported in the cacao industry, especially in Ivory Coast, it is non-existent in Madagascar. Much of Sambirano's cacao trees stand on former fruit plantations dating back to the French colonial times. The resulting cocoa has hints of citrus fruit and is naturally sweet, which makes the Malagasy cocoa especially suitable for production of non-bitter dark chocolate without use of excessive sugar content or other additives. Furthermore, the final Madagascar chocolate product is usually rich in antioxidant flavoinoids as well as other healthy and reputedly aphrodisiac ingredients found in high proportions in pure Malagasy cacao.

Chocolaterie Robert and Cinagra are the only two bean-to-bar chocolate producers in Madagascar. Their chocolates are of single origin, using cacao grown in Madagascar with their products made and packaged entirely in Madagascar.

Chocolaterie Robert dates back to 1937, when a French couple, Mr and Mrs Robert, set up Madagascar's first chocolate factory in Brickaville. Today, Chocolaterie Robert's bars can be found everywhere in Madagascar, from small village shops to upmarket confectionery stores in metropolitan areas. In 2006 Chocolaterie Robert's Mora Mora and Sambirano brands respectively won the Chocolate Academy's Silver Cup and the Best Buy Ethical Award. In 2013 Robert launched a range of bars branded Chocolat Madagascar intended mainly for export.

Cinagra Tsar Noir 100%
Chocolaterie Robert's headquarter and factory in Antananarivo
Chocolaterie Robert's 61% cocoa, kaffir lime and Fleur de Sel bar and the 68% cocoa bar with cocoa nibs
Malagasy workers at the Cinagra factory packaging fine chocolate bars by hand
Cinagra's 72% cocoa Tsar bar with roasted cocoa nibs and its 44% cocoa variety with natural vanilla

The more recently established Chocolaterie Cinagra has been making chocolate at their Antananarivo based factory since 2006, also using single origin cacao grown on plantations within the Sambirano region. In 2009 their 63% cocoa based Tsar bar won first price at the Salon de Chocolat Paris in France. Since 2008, Cinagra produces chocolate for Madécasse - a US importer and brand, sold primarily in the US and Canada as well as Germany.

A third, smaller but nonetheless appreciated Madagascar chocolate brand is Chocolaterie Colbert. Although they do not buy and process cacao beans directly from farmers and can therefore not be classified a bean-to-bar producer, Colbert's recipes are their own and since they do buy processed cocoa from both Chocolaterie Robert and Cinagra, their final products are of single Malagasy origin. Colbert's highly priced range of pralines and chocolate bars is sold only at the Pâtisserie Colbert in Antananarivo, part of Hotel Colbert. Their bars and pralines, handmade and gift-wrapped by a small team of talented chocolatiers, are always fresh at the counter and make ideal presents for special occasions.

Chocolaterie Colbert's dedicated team of chocolatiers proudly presenting their freshly made pralines

Madagascar is not a highly industrialised nation by any measure, including its farming methods. Malagasy cacao therefore remains relatively short in supply. Perhaps this is why Madagascar's chocolate brands are not easily found in stores outside Madagascar. In fact, at the time of writing, chocolate brands made as well as sold in Madagascar are available only in a few select stores in France, South Africa and Japan. A tip for anyone visiting the large island: Bring as many of Robert's, Cinagra's and Colbert's bars and pralines as possible back home, as you will not likely find as high quality chocolate at as reasonable prices elsewhere in the world!

Additional information

Visit the individual pages about the three Madagascar chocolate makers:

If you can't buy chocolate in Madagascar, various chocolate makers in other countries offer Madagascar cocoa based chocolate, either made from bean to bar or from pre-crushed cocoa exported from Madagascar. However, such brands are mostly available in specialised gourmet chocolate stores, usually at relatively high prices.

External link