Perugia, 14 October
Developed and led by Cacao of Excellence, the Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour has been presented to Italian audiences at Europe’s largest chocolate festival, Eurochocolate. Printed copies of the Guide in English and Spanish are featured during the 11-day event at the Cacao of Excellence Eurochocolate stand and a special Preview of the Guide in Italian is also featured. The Guide will be translated into Italian and showcased at CHOCOA 2024 in February 2024. The printing of the Guide in English and Spanish as well as the Italian preview and upcoming Italian translation has been possible thanks to the support of Eurochocolate and the Umbria Chamber of Commerce.
The guide includes detailed protocols that adhere to internationally agreed standards, with a focus on objectivity, transparency and accuracy. It offers comprehensive guidance on processing cacao bean samples for sensory evaluation, establishing quality evaluation facilities, training sensory evaluation teams, and implementing robust quality control processes.
Eugenio Guarducci, President of Eurochocolate and partner of Cacao of Excellence, said, "We see this Guide as a critical source of knowledge for cacao, ice cream and chocolate professionals to create state-of-the-art processing and evaluation facilities and sensory evaluation teams based on solid scientific and technical evidence. It will help cacao professionals across the value chain elevate the quality of their cacao, ice cream and chocolate."
Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and leader of Cacao of Excellence, presented the Guide at the Eurochocolate Festival and noted, "The Cacao Quality and Flavour Assessment Guide represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve the sustainability of the cacao sector. Our goal is to transform the cacao sector into a more differentiated, higher value crop and a segmented market where quality and flavour diversity drive value. This, in turn, will enable producers to command fairer prices and be recognized in the global marketplace."
Cacao of Excellence is presenting the Guide for the first time at a major in-person showcase for the cacao industry. Eurochocolate and Cacao of Excellence launched a partnership in 2023 with a shared vision to promote superior quality cacao, showcase its diversity and honour the contributions of cacao producers.
Julien Simonis, Program Manager of Cacao of Excellence, said, "The support of Eurochocolate and the Umbria Chamber of Commerce is a testament to the deepening partnership with Cacao of Excellence, both of whom are committed to celebrating the richness, diversity and potential of superior quality cacao and the farmers who produce it."
Brigitte Laliberté, Strategic Advisor to the Cacao of Excellence program and leader of the Guide, said, "The development of the Guide for Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour has been a five-year collective effort involving a wide range of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, industry, and leading research organisations. Their input was instrumental in bringing this ambitious initiative to fruition and will help promote positive change in the cacao sector."
The guide is available in English and Spanish, while a preview of the Guide is available in Italian. The full Italian version of the Guide will be available at the Chocoa Trade Fair during Amsterdam Cocoa Week in February 2024.
