Forum Activity for @Teresa Cordero Cordell

Teresa Cordero Cordell
@Teresa Cordero Cordell
09/05/08 17:31:30
13 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Here are a couple of drink recipes that we enjoy. I hope you like them too.First recipeChocolate MargaritaChocolate Chipotle Powder, recipe follows1 ounces dark chocolate liqueur1 ounces chocolate vodka1 ounces tequila1 coffee flavor liqueurChocolate Chipotle Powder*2 tablespoons Mexican Chocolate ground into powder1 tablespoon ground chipotle powder (or red chile powder if you prefer)Mix completely and set aside.Spread the Chocolate Chipotle Powder out on a large plate. Rim 2 (8-ounce) martini glasses by rolling the edge of each glass on a clean wet sponge, then rolling the edge over the powder. Tap the glass gently to knock off the extra powder. Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosty. Strain immediately into the glasses and serve.Second recipe:Chocolate Martini cup half-and-half or light cream8 ounces dark chocolate liqueur (1 cup)2 ounces vodka (1/4 cup)Ice cubes2 tablespoons ground Mexican Chocolate teaspoon ground cinnamonMix ground Mexican Chocolate and cinnamon. Spread on a plate. Moisten rim of martini glasses with a wet sponge and dip into the chocolate-cinnamon mixture.In a pitcher, stir together the half-and-half or light cream, chocolate liqueur, and vodka.Place ice cubes in a martini shaker. Add liqueur mixture; shake. Strain mixture into four to six chilled martini glasses.
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
08/24/08 10:03:25
1,692 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

If you are really interested in a chocolate drink that is out of the ordinary, try macerating (soaking, infusing) roasted nibs in a really good silver rum. About 1/2 cup in a 750ml bottle, soak for at least three days (to taste), shaking daily. Then strain through cheesecloth. Do not skimp on the rum - it won't turn out right.A variation on this is to use vodka instead of rum and use the result as the base to make chocolate martinis.
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
08/24/08 09:59:32
1,692 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Eric:I think you may be looking for Cabaret Brewed Chocolate .One interesting side not here is that one of the co-founders of Cabaret (before they made brewed chocolate they were making confections) is now one of the co-founders of Tcho - Timothy Childs.
Eric Durtschi
@Eric Durtschi
08/19/08 13:44:16
38 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I have been working on a brewed product for the past year and I am just now getting it worked out. What I do is very different from what you mentioned Alan. Hopefully I'll get it all worked out. I just had something called Cocoa Samoa. They cook beans in water for a long time then add stuff like cinnamon and vanilla. It was really good.
Diana Smith
@Diana Smith
08/19/08 13:26:49
2 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I watched the video also, but since I didn't have cocoa shells, I used nibs to brew some chocolate tea. I steeped it for 6 minutes, and added just a smidgen of sugar but no milk. (Being a milk chocolate lover, that was a bold move for me!) It had a pure chocolate flavor with little bitterness. I liked it and want to play with different spices, such as cinnamon, or chili powder. Time to explore.
Eric Durtschi
@Eric Durtschi
08/19/08 07:27:58
38 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

You have mention there of a brewed chocolate drink. Who makes this? I'd like to try that as well as several of the other things. Thanks for your insight.
Alan McClure
@Alan McClure
08/19/08 05:13:58
73 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I don't think that I'd say the art has been lost. It simply isn't very popular in "developed" countries to make chocolate drinks, when compared with the popularity of solid chocolate. Take a trip to Mexico, Belize, or elsewhere in Central America, and it is a very different story. Anyway, your question is pretty timely, as I just published this blog post a few days ago:That should give you some ideas.
Eric Durtschi
@Eric Durtschi
08/18/08 19:57:22
38 posts

Drinking Chocolates


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Watching the video of cocoa shell tea made me wonder about some of the other out of the ordinary drinks that are made from cocoa. I'd love to hear some recipes and get some insight from others. I know that is how it all started but the art appears to have been lost after the first chocolate bar.
updated by @Eric Durtschi: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Eric Devlin
@Eric Devlin
08/15/08 15:48:11
7 posts

Introduction


Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi,Being new to the forum, I thought that I would introduce myself. My name is Eric and I live on Long Island.I'm helping to organize the chocolate competition that will be part of the NY Food Festival in Sayville this October. I came across the forum while doing some research and I regret not finding it sooner.My tastes are rather plebeian (I enjoy valrhona and perugina, but I have to admit that my favorite snack is dark chocolate peanut m&m's).I'm sure that I'll be picking the brains of the experts as I try to widen and deepen my knowledge base.Have a great weekend!Eric
updated by @Eric Devlin: 04/17/15 14:18:59
Kerry
@Kerry
08/15/08 19:40:05
288 posts

Chocolate Show New York City 2008


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I notice that there is mention of a trade portion to the NY Chocolate show this year. That makes it a whole lot more tempting. I had been considering the Paris show, just because of the trade show. I wonder which companies will attend.
The Republic Of Chocolate
@The Republic Of Chocolate
08/15/08 15:30:02
5 posts

Chocolate Show New York City 2008


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Wondering who is going to be able to be part of the 2008 Chocolate Show in New York City. Hopefully I will be there...
updated by @The Republic Of Chocolate: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
08/11/08 08:11:08
1,692 posts

New Chocolate Show on TV-


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

As I was channel surfing this past weekend I noticed that Christopher Elbow was featured on "Road Tasted with the Neelys," also on Food Network. Christopher demonstrated making his Bananas Foster piece.
Chocoflyer
@Chocoflyer
08/10/08 15:11:49
71 posts

New Chocolate Show on TV-


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

The Food Network is airing a new series with a goofy title that happens to focus on growing & manufacturing chocolate this week. Sunny Anderson visits a real working cacao farm in Hawaii owned by The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory Co. Then she follows cacao beans on their journey to a Guittard Chocolate factory in CA, and tops it off with famous Frozen Hot Cocoa in NYC. Sounds like a great trip!Show title; "How'd That Get On My Plate?"Airs: 8/11 @8:30 pm ET & 8/24 @4:30 pm ETChannel: Food Network
updated by @Chocoflyer: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Peter Canston
@Peter Canston
08/08/08 03:59:10
1 posts

Bouchard Belgian Chocolate


Posted in: Opinion

Yesterday, when I drank my coffee after a delicious meal in a restaurant in Bruges, they gave me a praline with the coffee.It was really nice :), and very tasteful, I googled the company who makes them and found out they came from Bouchard Belgian Chocolate , you should check it out ;)!
updated by @Peter Canston: 04/17/15 23:49:19
Alan McClure
@Alan McClure
08/08/08 04:27:02
73 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Also, someone just reminded me that Theo does a blend bar with Panamanian and Ecuadorean cacao. http://www.theochocolate.com/products/ Also, I failed to mention that Theo does Fair Trade products as well. So here are the facts:Theo:Fair TradeOrganicUsing cacao sourced from Ecuador and PanamaIn Washington stateIf it isn't Theo making the Zazubean chocolate, then I don't know who is, and if it is Theo, then as far as I know, Zazubean doesn't own them, which fits right in with what Clay is saying.Alan
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
08/07/08 20:42:49
1,692 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

IMO, If they don't own the processing plant in Washington State, they're not bean-to-bar.It's also not a Canadian product: none of the ingredients grows in Canada and none of the processing is done in Canada. So, is the fact that the company that markets and sells it is in Canada enough to make it Canadian? IMO, no.They also make the all-too-common mistake of equating quantity (cocoa percentage) with quality.:: Clay
Alan McClure
@Alan McClure
08/07/08 15:53:47
73 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

From Masur:"I think they have invented their own bean-to-bar definition."----------------Looks like it.Alan
Masur
@Masur
08/07/08 15:47:16
31 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I can add a statement in a pressrelease: Zazubean is the first Canadian organic, fair-trade, functional chocolate in Canada, explained Zazubean co-founder T. Camille Gilbert. Our timing to enter the market is serendipitous. We are bean-to-bar company, meaning that we carefully control the quality and integrity of our manufacturing from bean to final product every step of the way. http://www.zazubean.com/Press/Zazubean_Press_Release_Sept%2007.doc I think they have invented their own bean-to-bar definition.
Alan McClure
@Alan McClure
08/07/08 14:09:28
73 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I think it is clear that they are not bean-to-bar from Gilbert's own statement:"Instead of sourcing our beans from faraway places and sending them to Europe for processing, only to have them sent back to us for further processing, we ship our beans directly from Equador and Panama to our processing plant in Washington state, she says."I am assuming that the processing plant in Washington state is Theo, since Theo already processes their own chocolate, and all of it is organic.Zazubean does use the phrase "bean to bar" on their homepage, however, which, if the above is true, would not be accurate.
Masur
@Masur
08/07/08 13:52:08
31 posts

Zazubean - bean-to-bar chocolate maker or wannabe?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I'm not convinced this Canadian company is a bean to bar chocolate maker. What about you?Quote from Zazubeans website: "Zazubeans line of functional chocolates is the ultimate Gourmet healthy dark chocolate made from bean to bar. Using only 100% organic ingredients and fair-trade cocoa beans, Zazubean combines a delicious dark chocolate from Panama and Ecuador with a unique blend of botanical extracts, making this the first Canadian functional, organic fair-trade dark chocolate." www.zazubean.com Quote from PDF-file about Top 10 Innovators, published by Food in Canada (Page 103): Gilbert, who is the former CEO of Small Business B.C., met Ienna at a chocolate tasting event a few years later, eventually joining her to form Zazubean. . . .Last year the company succeeded in launching Canadas first gourmet dark chocolate product that is not only 72-percent cacao, but is fair trade, organic, lowsugar and a nutraceutical. We try to make every effort to reduce Zazubeans ecological footprint, notes Gilbert. Instead of sourcing our beans from faraway places and sending them to Europe for processing, only to have them sent back to us for further processing, we ship our beans directly from Equador and Panama to our processing plant in Washington state, she says. http://www.bizlink.com/foodfiles/PDFs/may2008/top10.pdf Quote from interview with with Small Business BC CEO Tara Gilbert: Question: How big is it?Answer: Very small. There are a number of parttime employees and one full-time employee. The business was incorporated in 2005 and weve had product in the market since January 2007, so not a long time. http://www.makeitbusiness.com/FeatureStory.aspx?ArticleID=249
updated by @Masur: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Chocoflyer
@Chocoflyer
08/05/08 08:07:26
71 posts

Must be the world's largest international chocolate wrapper collection....


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

There is a website created by a man in Czech Republic who has collected thousands of chocolate wrappers from almost every country in the world! It is beautifully put together and under the section "museum" he has them all scanned and grouped by country of origin, plus there are manufacturer details and so much more! This is really an impressive site made with a lot of LOVE for CHOCOLATE and the ART of wrappers worlwide! Take a look! www.chocolatewrappers.info
updated by @Chocoflyer: 12/13/24 12:16:07
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
07/22/10 10:32:03
1,692 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

There are a number of misconceptions here.There is no firm scientific evidence about the temperature 118F - considered by many in the raw foods world to be the max temp to which foods may be subjected during processing. This single temperature suggests that the biochemistry of all foods is the same. It's not that simple - a single temperature is waaaaaay too simplistic.The single temperature also ignores the very importants variable of contact time and food structure. A nut with an outer shell could be subjected to a very high heat for a very short period of time to kill pathogens on the exterior of the shell without transferring any of that heat to the nut inside. Even foods with very thin shells (e.g., cocoa beans) can be treated this way without raising the temperature of over 99% of the mass of the bean above 118F. Plus, food with a high water content stays relatively cooler (through evaporative cooling) than foods with a low water content.Also - beware of ORAC. It too is a simplistic measure that taken alone is relatively meaningless. Metabolism is way too complex and individual to make a single ORAC measure generally applicable. Also, there's so much variability in ingredients that it's really necessary to measure every single batch produced to get an accurate score.However, consumers like simple numbers because they are easy to understand and apply. 118F max temp is easy to understand and adhere to. If the temp were different for every single food it would not be so easy.8000 ORAC score per serving has to be "better" than 2000, right?Maybe not. One thing to look at is cost. What' the cost of a serving with 8000 ORAC and is there another way to get the benefit at lower cost. Also, it doesn't matter what's in the food, it matter what metabolites make it into your bloodstream. So - not only might there be a lower-cost means of getting your daily ORAC, there might be a more effective way, too.
ChocoFiles
@ChocoFiles
07/22/10 10:07:14
251 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

This reply is a classic! It should be put in a Hall of Fame, especially the part about why you spent $289. To me, this post, along with the thread, has made the whole Xocai scheme so abundantly clear that it's a rip-off.Just think of how much truly great chocolate that you could buy for $144/month?
Sue Ann
@Sue Ann
07/22/10 07:45:18
1 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I thought you might like to see the answer I got from the MXI head office when I asked what temperature Xocai is cooked at:-- The products survive temperatures in excess of 60 degrees Celsius during the molding process. Please keep in mind, that even a temp of a 120 degrees Fahrenheit will not reduce the ORAC value on our products.I replied:That is a strange reply since 120 degrees Fahrenheit is 48 degrees Celsius, and you are heating Xocai to 60 degrees celcius? Raw food is only heated to 48 degrees, therefore you should not be advertising your products as Raw Cacao?. This is very concerning.Xocai replied:We start with Raw Cacao however, we do need to use some heat in the molding process for the solid chocolate or the baked products. The powdered products do not undergo this process.I replied:I would have to think all chocolate starts with raw cacao and undergoes a process of heating. However not all products claim to have raw cacao in them or a special patented cold press technology. Do you not think this is false advertising? It is all about the finished product and there is no raw cacao in it, therefore the packaging should not state raw?I would really like to know If other companies can cook their chocolate at 42 degrees then why should anyone pay so much more for Xocai which is cooked at over 60 degrees?I wish other companies would get their chocolate products tested for ORAC scores because I think that would put an end to Xocai's over hyped marketing ploys and stop future people like me investing so much lost time and money into a terrible company!
Tom
@Tom
10/02/09 15:52:29
205 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I found this interesting article: http://www.businessopportunitywatch.com/BOW%20Review%20of%20XOCAI%20Make%20Chocolate%20Your%20Business.htm If the link doesn't work the article is titled 'Review of XOCAI MXI Corp Healthy ChocolateExtract from Business Opportunity Watch Rating ReviewsJuly 2008 Issue 17'
Starr Metro
@Starr Metro
04/07/09 14:29:03
1 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

This is totally FALSE.Xocai nuggets are several times the size of hershy kisses AND are much more dense - to to mention healthy! Power packed with antixoidants. If you'd rather eat a bushel of spinach - or other roughage - to get the same amount of antioxidants, because that's what you'd have to do, go to it, but don't knock the chocolate way of getting the same benefits.
Dove Chocolatier
@Dove Chocolatier
01/15/09 07:50:46
3 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

OXACI, I don't know how many e-mails I get aday from those Brain Washed people on how there Chocolate is going to heal me of ever ailment,Now to me that is misleading,I got one on Face book from a lady that said her Aunt Was healed from being a diabetic and lost 100 lbs from eating OXACI. Its like they target other Direct sales people to promote there products to. Now they are linking a HTML page to Dove Chocolate Discoveries and you think you are clicking on Dove and Its OXACI. This is Crazy.
Dove Chocolatier
@Dove Chocolatier
11/26/08 07:26:50
3 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I two have been hounded by those from xocai, they have evan added Dove tags,etc to secretly send people to there web sites . I feel that it is not a Company I would want to be associated with, As far as Dark Chocolate having mystical properties,I did run across an science article that all dark chocolate has the antioxidants as long as ate in moderation, so their claims to them only having a healing chocolate to me is false.
Bruce Toy (Coppeneur)
@Bruce Toy (Coppeneur)
11/20/08 22:18:43
15 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Xocai is made with sub-standard cocoa beans not unlike "Fair Trade" chocolate. Two effective methods to market awful beans.Within the past four years, the shares of three 'small' chocolate companies were bought out by "Big Chocolate". The quality of the bars (and price) was inevitably reduced. They are now sold through mulit-national drug and health food stores. The inferior chocolate of the Mulit-Nationals seems less dreadful.Haagen Das and Ben and Jerry's made "Big Ice Cream" look bad which meant the Mulit-Nationals had to take them out. The quality of these premium brands was inevitable reduced and now the sub-standard quality of "Big Ice Ceam" is less obvious.Power, greed, deception, control
Chocolate Heaven
@Chocolate Heaven
11/20/08 09:38:00
1 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I agree with a point made earlier - If this chocolate is so good, why are they not retailing it in the shops?I have bought some products before from MLM companies, and some of them are ok - but grossly overpriced for what they are.
John2
@John2
11/16/08 09:47:49
4 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Hi Marie,I read your other Xocai-related post and it seems we share a similar experience, except you arrived at your conclusion much more quickly! I agree with your comment that "I do not believe that this company will survive because the consumer has to perceive that they are getting a fair price for the commodity they're consuming. This is Business and Economics 101! No amount of any kind of "chocolate" is worth what I paid. Let's face it, Xocai is selling chocolate - nothing more!"Regarding Network Marketing, hard to argue with what you said. I've done a lot of investigation and soul searching. If you are interested in trading stories email me at jszydlo1@tampabay.rr.com-John
Marie
@Marie
11/15/08 12:53:42
2 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Hey John,The reason that three chocolates per day seems excessive to you, is most likely because you saw that each one costs $1.24 and pictured them to be a normal size bar. GET THIS JOHN, the size of the $1.24 chocolate is approx. the same size as a Hershy's Kiss. Yep! Can you imagine paying almost $4.00 for three Hershy's kisses EVERY DAY!!You have to admit that 3-Hershy's kisses a day doesn't sound excessive.............
Marie
@Marie
11/15/08 12:02:00
2 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

I bought the Xocai chocolate about a month ago. I liked the chocolate. I thought all the chocolates that they let me sample were wonderful, and yes, I signed up for two boxes. This was a 60 day supply, it cost $289.00, AND you have to sign up for their auto ship program as well (which means you agree to buy one case a month and they will use your credit card to bill you). THIS WAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE OPTION they offered. I liked the product, but the only reason I agreed to it, was because my friends invited me to their home for the Xocai presentation and I didn't want to leave with out spending something.I do not believe that this company will survive because the consumer has to perceive that they are getting a fair price for the commodity they're consuming. This is Business and Economics 101! No amount of any kind of "chocolate" is worth what I paid. Let's face it, Xocai is selling chocolate - nothing more!Through out my life I've seen people get wrapped up into different network marketing companies. These companies depend on people being entrenched to their marketing techniques to a religious extreme. They paint a picture in the minds of the people that support them of how much money they can make. They go to meetings which have been described to me as "soul moving". These people must buy into the company with faith that they will impacted greatly, not only in their everyday life, but their pocketbook too. This is the basis of any network marketing system. Xocai is no different. They have a product that is grossly over-priced, but if the "distributor" (your neighbor or friend who most likely just signed up a month ago...) can make you believe that you too can make a huge monthly income at this, of course you're going to love the chocolate! If you really believed that this product could pay your bills and make you healthy - then who wouldn't go for it - Right? 50% of a network marketing system, such as Xocai, has to sell the "you too can make a fortune at this" as well as "their product has amazing benefits", or they wouldn't be able to stay in business.I Have a BS in Business from Portland State University. Joining a Network Marketing system would NOT be the way I would choose to make a living. I am a sales representative for my company, and would never ever want my target market to be selling products to my family and friends. Xocai's gross profit margin must be incredibly large! I would not be surprised if the chocolate that they sold to me for $289.00 cost them less than $20.00 to make AND ship. It all comes down to basic business strategies, I firmly believe that ripping off the consumer will soon result in negative profits! If I had purchased this product at 1/3 of the cost... I wouldn't have been so steamed to have written all this. I know a "good deal" from a "bad deal" and spending almost three hundred dollars on 3 lbs of chocolate is INSANE. For the record, I have canceled my auto-ship and will never buy Xocai again at the cost they are currently selling it.
Teresa Cordero Cordell
@Teresa Cordero Cordell
09/05/08 13:21:25
13 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

That certainly is disappointing.. I've been curious about the Xocai for a time now and am glad I looked no further. Chocolate has enough "health" benefits on its own without it being exploited in this way.
updated by @Teresa Cordero Cordell: 06/20/15 00:25:19
Clay Gordon
@Clay Gordon
09/04/08 07:10:25
1,692 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Sam:There is a reason for the ads showing up. Google "knows" the contents of this page and because Xocai is mentioned it serves up ads for Xocai. At some point I will get rid of the Google ads so it will go away as an issue.I also have heard that 120-125F/50C is the upper limit for temperature before things are cooked. One challenge I have with this is that pathogens on the outside of the beans are not killed at these temperatures. I've heard that some raw chocolate companies wash their beans in hydrogen peroxide but I have no idea what the risks/benefits are to this. Recently, I've become interested in UVC light as a means to kill the pathogens effectively and safely. There are companies here in the US that make equipment that seems perfect for this use.
John2
@John2
09/01/08 19:54:29
4 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Samantha, thank you for the detailed reply. It really is very helpful. I wonder whether the average Xocai distributor understands cold-pressed, cold-processed, non-lecithinized, non-alkanized, blanched, unfermented, sun-dried, non-roasted, etc... I know that it left me bewildered. I don't think it is necessary to understand these matters in great detail in order to sell Xocai (some would argue it is a hindrance) but I needed to understand it in order to make a decision on whether to build a business.Sydney, $98 a box for the nuggets is definitely discounted. Maybe the person she buys from gets the nuggets in bulk. Still, even at $98 it is an expensive addition to my diet and/or supplement regiment. Like you, I can not get past the notion of asking others to spend this amount of money. I tried unsuccessfully to get data on the percentage of chocolate going to consumers versus distributors. I suspect the percentage of true consumer is much smaller then the percentage of distributors, but that is just my opinion.-John
Sydney
@Sydney
09/01/08 13:34:07
3 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Hi, John, I was looking at Xocai from the same standpoint as you when I was in Vermont with my friend, but once I got home and did a little homework, I decided that I just wasn't going to be able to sell such an expensive product--not in these economic times. I canvassed some friends and neighbors and they all looked at me like I have two heads. Then again, I didn't have any samples; I'm not very good at the selling aspect anyway.Also, just to let you know, I found one site that is underselling (if that's the right term) this Xocai chocolate and selling it at less than the distributor wholesale price that you discussed and that my friend buys it for. I just sent her the link because she only buys it to eat it, not to sell it, so she may as well save money. I don't know how this one site can sell it for less than wholesale, but they are: $98 for 100 nuggets and that includes the shipping.Best of luck to you.Sydney
Sydney
@Sydney
09/01/08 13:26:40
3 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Hi, Samantha. The term "cold processed" is not actually mine; it is the claim on Xocai's literature that my friend in Vermont gave me. I took the words from one of their brochures that says first "Xocai products are produced with unprocessed, non-alkanized, non-lecithinized cacao powder," and later in the brochure under the ingredients for Xocai: The Healthy Chocolate, it says "Cold-processed Belgian cocoa powder."Just wanted to clear that up because I am not, repeat not, making any claims for Xocai. I think they probably make a decent product that some people are all miffed about because of the whole pyramid scheme type business and because of the price. But it has nothing to do with me.
John2
@John2
08/31/08 18:29:28
4 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Olorin,Their two most popular chocolates are the Xocai X Power Squares and Xocai Nuggets. The Square weighs 6g (Xocai recommends 3 squares per serving) and the nugget weighs 12g (1 nugget per serving). The cost per 100g for the Squares is $17.86, $16.07, and $13.10 (retail, preferred, and wholesale). The cost per 100g for the Nuggets is $12.50, $11.25, and $10.29. So, how does that compare to other gourmet or top of the line chocolates?From a business/marketing standpoint, I've seen the products promoted almost like nutritional supplements (hence, 3 times a day) and also like pure decadent chocolate. The appeal to potential distributors is that many people already love chocolate so you are basically getting them to substitute for Xocai. But, that only works if they are already spending over $110 per month!Cybele, the reason for all the activity in your blog regarding Xocai is due to the Xocai Network Marketers creating 'buzz'. MXI (the parent corp) does no traditional but instead relies on word of mouth marketing through its distributor force.-John
ChocoFiles
@ChocoFiles
08/31/08 18:23:31
251 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

QUOTE:"I find the influx of new members that are solely talking about Xocai a little puzzling. "Actually, I was thinking the same thing when I wrote my last post. There seem to be many, many better chocolates than Xocai that we could be spending time pondering (and dreaming about).
cybele
@cybele
08/31/08 15:29:02
37 posts

Is Xocai everything it's made out to be?


Posted in: News & New Product Press (Read-Only)

Olorin - like you I like variety and though I consider myself a chocolate nut, I don't eat that much on a daily basis.I've tried other "fortified" chocolates and found that they lacked the fat and mouthfeel that I like so much and felt like work instead pleasure.I don't think I'm in any way normal or indicative of other chocolate lovers in the amount of money I spend or eat. (But I document it pretty well on my blog where I review about 20 things a month, usually 5 high end items in there.)I find the influx of new members that are solely talking about Xocai a little puzzling. There's so much here and so many incredible resources (people who actually visit cacao growing countries, pick out beans and then make actual chocolate) and here we are talking about something that isn't even made out to be a decadent treat.
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