CocoTerra | CocoTerra Company

The latest cacao virus: CSSV threatens global chocolate production

by CocoTerra | Jun 6, 2024 | Chocolate Information

Cacao trees, which provide the key ingredient in chocolate, are under threat from a serious disease: Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV). This virus mainly affects cacao farms in West Africa, where about 70% of the world’s cocoa is grown. Like Witches’ Broom and...

Chocolate 101: Making chocolate from scratch

by CocoTerra | Jun 4, 2024 | Chocolate Information

Making something from scratch might seem hard at first. It takes time, effort, and probably some research and experimentation. But with passion, and a little patience, even complex processes can become second-nature. And when it comes to making something as...

Tools used in chocolate making: Grind gauge & hegman gauge

by CocoTerra | May 21, 2024 | Chocolate Information

Have you ever wondered how they measure chocolate texture? One excellent tool for this task is called a grind gauge or grindometer, also known as a Hegman gauge. It’s a steel plate with a precisely etched surface. Chocolate samples are spread over the plate to...

What does % cocoa mean on chocolate bars?

by CocoTerra | May 16, 2024 | Chocolate Facts

Have you ever wondered what the percentage means on the front of a chocolate bar? From the rich, velvety notes of milk chocolate to the bold, intense flavors of dark chocolate, at a high level, the percentage represents cocoa composition, but it’s probably not what...

Stages of cocoa fermentation

by CocoTerra | May 14, 2024 | Chocolate Information

Did you know that chocolate is a fermented food? If you didn’t, well, yes it is! Chocolate undergoes a fermentation process similar to that of wine. Fermentation is crucial in chocolate making as it significantly reduces bitterness and astringency in the cocoa...