21 September 2023
Join Cacao of Excellence on Tuesday, September 26 2023 at 3-4PM CEST (Rome) for the official webinar launch of the Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour, developed with the support of the USDA/Technoserve/Lutheran World Relief project MOCCA and with extensive collaboration with experts across the sector. Its refinement has come thanks to reviews involving over 100 experts from 30 plus countries.
Learn about the importance of this Guide for producers, governments, buyers, traders, manufacturers, chocolate-makers and anyone interested in understanding and improving the quality and diversity of their cacao products.
If you cannot attend the webinar the Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour will be available for download on MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 here
Background
The global cacao industry has experienced remarkable growth, but it has also encountered significant hurdles in maintaining consistent quality standards and effective communication within the industry. These challenges particularly affect farmers in cacao origins who strive to sell superior quality cacao at premium prices.
Why This Guide Matters
To overcome these obstacles and meet the changing needs of consumers, it is imperative that we establish credible, reliable, and standardised methods for assessing cacao quality and flavour. The Guide offers detailed protocols for evaluating cacao in various forms — from unroasted cacao beans, to cacao mass, to chocolate — developed by a diverse group of experts over several years. This creates a universal language for describing cacao attributes, facilitating shared understanding among cacao professionals globally.
A Collective Endeavor
The development of this Guide has been a collective effort spanning several years, drawing upon the expertise of stakeholders across the cacao sector. Its inception began in 2015 when an informal working group, coordinated by the neutral platform Cacao of Excellence, explored the establishment of international standards for cacao quality and flavour assessment. In 2017 and 2018, individual protocols were developed and reviewed extensively by members of the working group and diverse stakeholders from the cacao sector. Between 2018 to 2022, a meticulous external review and refinement process involving more than 100 people from over 30 countries has culminated in the comprehensive Guide presented here.
A Trusted Resource
By June 30, 2023, more than 1,500 individuals from 105 countries had already downloaded these protocols. Producers, buyers, traders, manufacturers, researchers, and development experts have all contributed their knowledge and experience to ensure the Guide's relevance and applicability. Their collective input has made this Guide a valuable reference manual for all stakeholders in the cacao value chain.
Empowering Producers
The vision for this Guide is ambitious yet achievable. Cacao of Excellence envisions it becoming the go-to resource for quality and flavour assessments, training programmes, and the establishment of national standards for cacao quality and flavour. This includes the setup of laboratories and sensory evaluation panels. Our mission is to empower producers to better understand the quality of their cacao, connect with higher-value markets, and receive objective feedback for improving pre- and post-harvest processes.
In a world where cacao quality and flavour are paramount, this Guide is your roadmap to excellence. Explore its comprehensive protocols, harness its collective wisdom, and let it be your guide to unlocking the full potential of cacao in the global market.
The webinar is open to all and will be held in English.
