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Cacao Exploration in the Mountains of Puerto Rico
On a recent Caribbean escape, we made a diversion into the central mountains of Puerto Rico to visit a Cacao and Coffee Plantation.
The historical Hacienda was a beautiful environment to see Cacao Pods maturing on natural, shade covered trees. The harvest will officially take place in March however, Kim and I were able to experience the process from start to finish.
As with Coffee, Cacao is best grown in conditions that aren’t totally sun-drenched or exposed to the elements. The Hacienda has Coffee and Cacao randomly interspersed within the natural canopy cover and had the most beautiful natural surroundings including a giant waterfall.
As you can see, Cacao Pods can grow directly on the trunk of the tree, as well as on the branches.
Cacao trees will only bear fruit 20oN and 20oS of the Equator but most of crops are produced within a smaller band only 10oN and 10oS of the Equator. The trees require an average temperature of approximately 25°C (77°F), relatively high humidity and substantial rainfall.
When the pods are ready to harvest, they are carefully cut from the trunk and leading branches of the tree, with care not to damage the growth node. The brightly colored pods are then cut open to reveal 20-30 almond-sized beans. The beans are covered in a white gelatinous pulp.
The Cacao beans are left to ferment under cover. This process allows sugars and pulp to dissipate which leaves the beans clean and bursting with new flavors that previously didn’t exist. During fermentation, high temperatures from the process make the bean unable to germinate and the nutrients stay in the bean. Better fermentation leads to better flavor and less roasting time to bring out the intended flavor. Fermentation can last up to eight days.
Cocoa beans, as they are now referred after fermentation , are then left to dry in racks in the tropical sun . Drying the beans reduces the moisture content and can last from 5 to 10 days. While the beans release their moisture, they shrink and can be picked over for debris, germinated beans and broken pieces.
The Cocoa is now a commodity and is ready to be sorted by size and quality. It can now be bagged and shipped to Chocolate Manufacturers who can then roast the beans and begin the process of turning them into chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and other products.
Although everything has been a carefully executed process thus far, the path to having chocolate as you know it has just begun…
Love at first bite…
It’s that time of year again, when the faintly emerging colors of Spring fade off into shades of bright red and pink!
Chocolate Lover’s Hearts are the ultimate treat for your Love this Valentine’s Day. Each Chocolate Heart is bursting with an assortment of fresh Truffles, filled Chocolates and a delicious Tortuga or Bear Claw. This year in addition to your regular Chocolate Tofino favorites, we’ve added our Love at First Bite Caramels.
There’s nothing more sultry than 
a creamy Love at First Bite Caramel. Using fine Mexican Vanilla, we’ve put together a little number that will surely impress this Valentine’s Day. Available in Milk & Dark Chocolate, these Caramels are perfect for the Sweetness in your life.
We’ve also done up our Organic Lavender Truffles in a Heart shape for the special day and garnished each one with a few lavender florets. It’s a special touch on a classic favorite!
The Chocolate Lover’s Heart is $29.95 and is available in milk or dark chocolate. Give us a call to pre-order your Chocolate Lover’s Heart. Valentine’s Day gets a little crazy and we don’t want you to miss out! :) We’re open Monday – Saturday from 11am – 6pm (Give us a call! 250-725-2526)
Chocolate Tofino’s 2011 Holiday Hours
December 24 – Christmas Eve
10am – 3pm
December 25 – Christmas Day
Closed
December 26 – Boxing Day
Closed
December 27, 28, 29 & 30
10am – 6pm
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
10am – 3pm
January 1 – New Year’s Day
Closed
Happy Holidays!
Chocolate Tofino’s Top 10 Christmas Albums! Plus our favorite Singles!
1. The Ventures Christmas Album
Tight guitar, little surfy riffs from the 60′s and all your Christmas Favourites bundled into the best surfer Christmas album ever. We have this one on LP.
2. Elf – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
A classic Christmas movie with a smooth mix of classic and contemporary Christmas songs that every age will enjoy!
3. Elvis Presley – Elvis Christmas Album
Another essential piece of Vinyl, Elvis croons all your Christmas classics, including Blue Christmas.
4. Christmas with Boney M
Disco-Era Boney M provides a light but magical Christmas album for all ages to enjoy. Make some new Christmas memories with this album.
5. The Brian Setzer Orchestra – Boogie Woogie Christmas
Jam it out with some fresh Christmas energy from Brian Setzer. You’d burn out if you listened to it too many times in a row. Check out Sleigh Ride.
6. Gary Hoey – Best of Ho Ho Hoey
Driving guitar woven into your Holiday favorites. This is the best of his 3 Ho Ho Hoey albums and has a couple new songs of its own.
7. Burl Ives – Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Sounds of an era gone by, enjoy Christmas as it was. Burl’s voice takes you to another time and place.
8. Sarah Mclachlin – Winter Song
Part-time Tofino resident, Sarah Mclachlin’s beautiful Christmas offering. Drown yourself in her beautiful voice and peaceful holiday music.
9. Six Pence None the Richer – The Dawn of Grace
Leigh Nash puts together a blend of Traditional combined with her own Original Christmas Songs. If you need something new, this is a good one.
10. Diana Krall – Christmas Songs
Jazzy holiday music with all the shoob-ie-doobies you need this time of year.
Chocolate Tofino‘s Top Ten Christmas Singles
1. Holiday Road – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Soundtrack
2. The Happy Elf – Harry Connick Jr.
3. Six White Boomers – Rolf Harris
4. The First Noel – Donavon Frankenreiter
5. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
6. Christmas Time – Smashing Pumpkins
7. Nutin’ for Christmas – Rosie O’Donnell & Smash Mouth
8. Mele Kalikemaka – Jimmy Buffett
9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Jack Johnson
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Hayley Sales
Christmas Contest Winners!
Congratulations to our December 15 Christmas Contest Winners!
Our randomly selected winners were:
Local Winner – Ken from Cable Cove Inn
Out of Town Winner – Sharon Sanford from Ucluelet
Ken and Sharon each won an large assortment of the following:
Dark Chocolate Santa & Sleigh, Egg Nog Gelato, Chocolate Elixir Cards, Solid Chocolate Tofino Bars, Milk & Dark Jolly Santas, Tortugas & Bear Claws, Mixed Truffles, Mini Santa Stocking Stuffers and Candy Cane Bark
It was a fantastic contest and we’re thankful for everyone who got involved. Thanks for your feedback and the generous praise of Chocolate Tofino.
A busy night for the Oompa Loompas!
Christmas is almost here and we’re busy packing up orders to ship around the continent. Now knowing what it feels like to be Santa, and having visions of truffles dancing in our heads, we don’t know how the Man in Red does it every year.. :) It’s going to be a Merry Christmas with Chocolate Tofino under your tree…
Surprise Santa! Welcome to the Line Up.
This year we’ve introduced Surprise Santa!
Available in Milk and Dark Chocolate, this hollow Santa has an extra special treat hidden inside. Within each Surprise Santa is a Tortuga or Bear Claw plus a card redeemable for a Hot Chocolate Elixir! A great value at $10.95.
Christmas is here in full production!
Christmas is on its way!
This year some of our in-shop specialties include:
• The Giant Santa Centerpiece
• 8″ Chocolate Santa full of little Chocolate Trinkets
• Santa and His Sleigh
• Surprise Santa (with a hidden Tortuga or Bear Claw plus a Free Elixir Card)
• Jolly Santa (Solid)
• Solid Mini Santas (3 Pack)
• Festive Tortuga & Bear Claw Box
• Large Yule Log with Fresh Chocolates
• Small Yule Log with Fresh Chocolates
• Holiday Edition Tofino Bear (holding a white chocolate wreath)
• Holiday Edition Candy Cane Bark
We’re excited to be so close to Christmas. In a Chocolate Shop, it’s one of our favorite times of year. The mood is festive, the chocolate is flowing and everyone’s excited about something. Stop by and pick up some Christmas Treats or give us a call to set something aside for you! 250-725-2526
Jingle into Christmas ONLINE – Extended! Free Chocolate + Free Shipping!
Free Chocolate plus Free Shipping!
Order Online before December 10th to get in on these amazing deals!
With such a great response and a few more days on our hands, we’ve decided to add nine more days to Jingle into Christmas Online!
As, well, you choose your ship date, so they can arrive right as you need them!
Every Online order over $100* will receive a Free Box of Tortugas and Bear Claws ($16.95 value). Yum! Plus, every order over $200* will also qualify for Free Shipping! Now that’s sweet! Place your order before midnight on December 10th to qualify for this great Christmas Deal. *Before shipping and taxes. Free Tortugas & Bear Claws will automatically ship out with every order over $100.Offer vavlid on-line only. Not valid in-store.