Forum Activity for @Mark Heim

I thought I knew chocolate and cacao but after visiting your website...

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Criollo and Forastero are the two basic types. Trinatario is a hybrid of the two. Today they have been so cross bred and with the unique contributions from the environment you hear of over a dozen new types, many named by where they are grown. 3 good resources for information are from Minifie, Beckett, and for more on the farm information, Cook. There is also a book with nothing but pictures of beans.

I thought I knew chocolate and cacao but after visiting your website...

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Okay. First, it isn't a bean, and the cacao seeds don't really come from a pod either: http://patric-chocolate.blogspot.com/2008/07/cacao-fruit-mystery-continues_31.html Enjoy!

I thought I knew chocolate and cacao but after visiting your website...

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

... I have figured out that I don't know much at all. I read and heard their were three varieties namely Criollo, Forastero and Trinatario. Just today have read a paper on new classification that names 10 genetic varieties. I look forward to reading through the forum threads and growing my knowledge of this fascinating bean its history and its apparent nutritional benefits.The world has a view of chocolate (commercial sweet) which they directly relate to high % cacao chocolate and cacao products. I believe this is wrong and through this forum and research I want to find the truth and teach people this truth.So please help me find the truth about this fascinating bean
updated by @Grant Wills: 04/17/15 03:56:00

xylitol in chocolate?

Posted in: Recipes

I've made some chocolate with xylitol as the sweetener and found it to be quite strange and no one I gave it to liked it much, though I never gave it to any diabetics or others who can't eat sugar-sweetened chocolate. Normally everyone devours my chocolate, but the xylitol one they were not gonzo over.It has the weird cooling effect others have mentioned, and the supposed sweetness factor (something like 1.5x sweeter than sugar) the manufacturers claimed didn't seem to play out in the over-sweetness of the final bar.

xylitol in chocolate?

Posted in: Recipes

Xylitol will work but has a cooling effect when it dissolves in the mouth, due to negative heat of solution. There are other sugar replacers that do not have as strong a cooling, such as maltitol. I would not depend on fat eutectics as the cooling is only while eating, not storage, and adding another fat to soften, it will stay softened in storage, handling, etc, and you need to watch for bloom.

xylitol in chocolate?

Posted in: Recipes

There's a great thread on alternative sweeteners for chocolate at the following website: http://chocolatetalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=diet&action=display&thread=391 It gets pretty scientific in some places, but is a culmination of deep knowledge from industry professionals.Best Regards.Brad.

xylitol in chocolate?

Posted in: Recipes

Does anyone here have experience with xylitol as a sweetener in chocolate? I'm wondering if your results were acceptable either with xylitol as the main sweetener or when it was added to make a confection to the base chocolate?Thanks
updated by @Frank Schmidt: 05/01/15 17:12:11

Fair Trade vs Direct Trade

Posted in: Opinion

Hello Tom, Ive just noticed you post about direct trade (DT). We are a cacao farm in Costa Rica and we have been direct trading with several bean to bar chocolate makers in the USA and Europe for some years now. For us, DT is not only about getting better prices, but also about building strong relationships, trust and certainly a way to improve our practices for better quality. We receive our clients at the farm and we enjoy their involvement and accept their comments, as friends do. As we want to be chocolate makers as well, we also receive important advice.

We were certified as an organic farm for six years, and during that time we were NEVER asked by the certification body about fair salaries, child labor force or about any other human rights. And those are the real questions to be placed to a cacao farm.

Best Regards

Fair Trade vs Direct Trade

Posted in: Opinion

I'll be interested to follow this discussion. I fully support the intent of fair trade but have heard that the certification process (much like the OG one) is often better served than the farmers. Is direct trade a better answer? Is FT certification doing what it intended or is the certifying board reaping all the benefits. I really want to be better educated about all of this, too.

Fair Trade vs Direct Trade

Posted in: Opinion

I run a FT/Org chocolate business ( Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates ) using a chocolate that incorporates Trinitario beans from Dominican Republic and Criollo beans from Peru. Not believing that FT is enough, I also take people on tours of cocoa villages in Ghana and Ivory Coast, the heart of the cocoa-growing for the lowest quality American chocolate, believing that somehow there must be a way to help cocoa farmers make more money.I am also interested in the concept of Direct Trade, where the buyer pays for quality directly to the farmer. I would love to learn from others in this business about their experiences. Apparently there's a cooperative in Grenada that is doing a world of good for the farmers AND producing the chocolate right on the island! I would like to talk to other professionals about how we producers can make cocoa-growing an honorable and remunerative profession.
updated by @Tom Neuhaus: 04/13/15 05:27:25

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Greencow, thank you so much for that PDF. I hope to utilize this information in Puerto Rico this March.

updated by @Steven J: 06/16/15 17:20:58

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

but you won't get pods because you need an insect to pollinate.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

If you want to grow a cacao tree in a non-tropical environment, the simplest way to go about it is to keep the potted plant in the bathroom, preferably at the far end of the bathtub, so it absorbs humidity and dampness from a hot shower. The bathroom is also the ideal place (or a steam room, really) if you want to grow vanilla orchids as well. We have more than 20,000 cacao trees growing in the Yucatan, by the way. Louis

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Jim, thanks for this - great info. M

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

No sorry I do not have a source of seeds but have seen them online from time to time. Problem is, they have no dormancy, so its pretty difficult. They are restricted for importation into the US so to do it legally you need a phytosanitary permit from the country of origin and an import permit you can get from USDA APHIS.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

That's great Mark! Many thanks!!Would you be able to advice where I can find the pods to grow them? If you can point to me any websites or can you sell me a couple? :)

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I have grown cacao plants indoors and they can adapt to low humidity just fine. I have produced pods in the elevator lobby outside my office! Check out the attached pdf with instructions how to grow a cacao plant indoors, complete with pictures of our elevator plant complete with pods. Sorry the pics are a little fuzzy had to reduce them to make the file size small.Enjoy!

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Heidi,May I know where to get the pods from?Many thanks!Carolyn

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Just my two cents worth on this. Remember that cacao grows in the humid high temperature tropics. 80% to 90% humidity, between 70F and 100f in temperatures at all times. If the temperature goes below 60F (roughly) the trees will die. They love water but don't like their roots standing in water - good drainage is optimal. A greenhouse is best. Most North American conservatories (Bronx, Brooklyn, Chicago and many others) have cacao trees that flower and produce pods! It is true that in some areas where cacao grows there is a dry season, but there is always water available. 30% shade is good but don't go below 10% otherwise the cacao leaves will get burned.I tried to grow cacao from seedlings that I bought from a place in FL, but without a greenhouse and in the climate I live in they did very poorly and almost died due to the lack humidity (no matter what I did) and to the cold in winter. I gave them to someone with a greenhouse who grows orchids. I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.Good luck!

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Here are some pictures of my happy little tree at home:

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

My little tree now has three new leaves. They are all very delicate, a fresh brown, almost red color and translucent (!) though the older two are almost as big as their older siblings. So lovely:

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Whoohoo! Keep it warm and moist and it will keep you company for a long time...

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

My little plant has two new leaves!

I've discovered that it is happiest in the window above the kitchen sink where it can enjoy the steam from the sink and dishwasher. I have to move it out of the direct sun that comes through that window in the afternoon though, so it spends some time every day and sometimes all day with the orchids and African violets.I gave it a clay saucer full of pebbles to sit in. When I water it, the extra water drains out into the pebbles and slowly evaporates, adding more moisture to the air under the tree.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thanks so much for this article, Jim. I was glad to see the slow-release fertilizer I gave my new tree was the right stuff - and I'll try not to be too disappointed if it doesn't grow. A colleague of Tom's at Cal Poly germinated a lot more, and I've asked for half a dozen or so.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi,Here is a guide I put together to take some of the mystery out of growing cacao. It might help you with your trees.Jim

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Sadly, my trees are no more. I started with 60. It was a tough winter. Don't over feed the trees. I killed them when I switched to a very high nitrogen. Stay with liquid seaweed.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

For those that are interested growing cacao from a seed, I will be posting a segment in the homebrew section in the next few days. I have not completed it yet, but I will post it soon.Cacao plants like water, but they don't like to stand in it. They also, do not like it too breezy and must be shielded from wind. The main thing is indicated by Chris, keep up the moisture and temperature level around the plant. Orchid growers will place their plants on a gravel bed with water in the rocks to keep the moisture around the plants at a higher level. This is nothing more then a shallow pan with pea gravel filled to the top and then adding some water to it. They will also place their plants in a bathroom to take advantage of the higher humidity.To learn how I germinate cacao and make it grow, please see the post in the Home Brew section. It is a reflection of my journey into growing cacao and what works for me. My plans are to have a step-by-step with photos to keep the process simple. Here are a couple of photos from the segment.Heidi, please PM for specific instructions. If you have pods, you cannot wait too long before you start the germination process, or you will have a very poor germination rate. If it is a fresh pod, the germination rate will be almost 100%.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Wow, it's a slow grower! But everything seems to grow faster in California; we'll see if this is an exception.Here's my little tree now. I figure it will enjoy the same filtered sunlight as the African violet and the orchid.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I've had a cacao plant growing in my house in Connecticut for about 3 years. I started it from seed. I had 2 plants originally, but one succumbed to low humidity in the house during the first winter. The surviving one is about 2 feet tall now. It does well in the summer outside (we have lots of humidity), but the rest of the year I really struggle to keep the humidity high enough for it. I also wait to put it outside until any danger of temperatures going below 50F at night has past. The best solution that I have found to keep the humidity up is to keep it in a clear plastic bag when it's in the house! The humidity is just way too low for it inside. When inside, the plant is in a south facing window. The plant barely grows over the winter (temperatures in the house are in the upper 60s F), but every summer it grows at least a couple of inches. I don't expect to ever get any pods, but it's a novelty.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I'm interested in this too. I just got a cacao baby, about 6 inches high. I live in coastal California where it's probably marginally warm enough for it but definitely too dry.Since it came home yesterday, it drank all the water I put in its saucer twice. I've been spraying it too, and I gave it a little slow-release fertilizer.Any advice is welcome.

Growing trees from Cocoa Seeds.

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Just got two pods and want to grow some trees. It will be a challenge as I am in Northern MN.However, I have a bright warm room with the only expectation of the beauty and joy of growing the trees. nothing else.Any help would be appreciated.Thank you,Heidi
updated by @Heidi Ash: 04/11/25 09:27:36

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Great, best of luck with your new business!

Will you produce bean to bar or become a chocolatier?

If you are into chocolatier, you can contact us, we make organic chocolate here in SA.

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi antonino,

I will be setting up in Botswana.

regards

Ona

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello Landia,

where are you going to open your chocolate business?

We do chocolate in Cape Town, we offer support to all our customers that want to know about chocolate!

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi Landia,

I am so excited i somehow went to this page, I am interested in chocolate making, small production for starters as well. I am based in Botswana and would like to attend a course somewhere nearer to Botswana. Johannesburg will be ideal, kindly advice of other places one can get training.

regards

Ona

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Make sure that you watch the humidity level as well. It can ruin a good days production if there is too much water in the air.

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

I would also take into account the weather in South Africa and find a space you can control the temperature year-round.

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello Landia,I wish you all the best for your business prospects. I remember the initial days of my farther 10 years ago who started to make chocolates as a hobby. We have now expanded the idea 10 fold, and have become regular suppliers for a host of chocolate related products (molds, machines, transfer sheets etc. etc.)We now act as regular suppliers for molds for a number of independent business persons in Europe, UK and have also had previous experience of dealing with a few clients in Africa.When you have a spare minute or two, please have a look at our website: http://www.ipfco.com You will find a lot of information there. I am sure we can be of much assistance.Thanks and best wishes.

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi Gerhard,This studio is said to be excellent: http://www.chocolatestudio.co.za/about-studio.php There is also a course in Jo'burg that's not as expensive.Shout if you need more info Landia

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi Landia, My name is Gerhard. I live in Pretoria and are interested to do a chocolate making course. Could you offer advice on who to contact. Any information would be greatly appreciated.Regards Gerhard

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi Landia,Best of luck with your chocolate project. My drum teacher always said,"less is more." I'm in my second year of my chocolate project and it is difficult to follow that advice. There are a lot of people willing to sell you just about anything. My advice is to collect information and share information with other chocolate makers. A fair equal exchange can save you some money. Spend slowly and wisely.Best of luck.Cheers,Paul Mosca

Set up cost of starting a small chocolate business

Posted in: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

An immersion blender is like a blender, but on a stick. The motor and control is mounted on the top, you have a rod that extends down from the motor, and at the base are the blades. You immerse it in whatever you're blending. A good commercial one starts at $150 or more. The home ones burn out too fast in my experience.If you can have a work environment with stable temps between about 60-68F, or 16-19C, it's ideal.I am based in Quito, Ecuador. Just let me know if you have any other questions!Jeff