Ceplac encourages the production of fine chocolates in Brazil

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), through the Executive Committee of the Cocoa Farming Plan (Ceplac), is investing heavily in promoting and researching the cocoa sector in Brazil. Among its initiatives, the encouragement of the production of fine aroma chocolates, known as “bean to bar” or “tree to bar”, stands out. In this process, the chocolate manufacturer is also a cocoa producer, creating a complete and integrated production cycle. Lucimara Chiari, director of Ceplac, explains that the production of fine aroma chocolates is a strategy for verticalizing production. “Our chocolate is produced for two purposes: research and promotion of the quality of fine aroma cocoa and bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar chocolates,” says Chiari. Fine aroma chocolates are made with just three ingredients: cocoa or cocoa nibs, cocoa butter and sugar, with a cocoa content generally greater than 50%. The chocolate recipe is personalized, with a specific roasting profile for each batch of ...