Aimed at international chefs around the world and in time for Easter, Cargill said it becomes the only gourmet chocolate supplier to provide the intense cocoa flavours from these beans as only small quantities are produced by the two countries.
“In developing our new Signature Origins products, we searched the cocoa-growing regions of the world to bring chefs chocolate with unique flavour profiles that truly stand apart from current gourmet offerings,” said Wim Bastiaens, Cargill’s gourmet and distribution director.
“Our Usulután 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from El Salvador and Okapi 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from the Democratic Republic of Congo are the result – gourmet chocolates that will surprise and delight consumers’ palates.”
Recyclable packaging
Alongside the new product launches, Cargill has also revamped its website and new resealable and recyclable packaging that showcases the diverse chefs and farmers behind the company’s gourmet chocolate.
“Since its introduction to the gourmet market in 2016, sustainability has been a pillar of the Veliche brand,” Bastiaens said.
Cargill said it is also investing $950,000 in a new sustainability initiative in Cote d’Ivoire supported by Veliche, which aims to empower cocoa farming households to become ‘agripreneurs’ and manage their farms as businesses.
The programme, implemented through its partner, the international development nonprofit TechnoServe, includes individual coaching on good agricultural practices, provides support with on- and off-farm income diversification, and entrepreneurship training for women and youth.
