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"It is dark as the AlChemist walks along the corridor, rough stone under his feet, air warmed from well smoldering hearth fires stirring his cowl. He opens a hewn timber door, worn smooth at the threshold over years of use. He breaths deeply the comforting smells of this laboratory. Hints of wood and smoke linger in the air from the last time he roasted raw materials for his elixirs. Another smell, heady and almost intoxicating, brings a smile to his face as he remembers the smell wafting up as he was last grinding his pastes and powders. He looks about. Everything is in place. The roasting drum is cool in the hearth. The mortars and pestles are laid out neat and tidy, only a small amount of deep brown paste marring their finish. The cracking mill is sitting ready, waiting for the next batch to be crushed fresh out of the roaster. It is time to begin his magic, his devotion, his passion, his Alchemy, yet again. He prepares himself for the work ahead. The roasting, the cracking, the winnowing, the grinding, the mixing. The transformation of base materials into something more than they were. The transformation of cocoa beans to chocolate, the work of Chocolate Alchemy."
2456288 visits and counting.
A little while ago I acquired an antique roaster. It’s in the process of being refinished, but in the meantime is completely functional. As a result, all cocoa beans are now available as Roasted. The odd 35 lb option is because that is the capacity of the roaster. Right now I don’t have an option […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, Refining & Conching, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Musings | No Comments »
It seems to be generally known I don’t promote raw chocolate. It’s not that I don’t approve of it (although I have some issues about it), it more that I just don’t really care for it and even more so, just don’t ‘get it’. Although they are not my words, there is an article that […]
Filed under: Roasting, Refining & Conching, What's new & Updates, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Musings | 3 Comments »
I find it interesting how new ideas form, evolve, etc.
I was putting together a batch of milk chocolate this morning, and really didn’t have much time. OK, and I was a bit lazy because I didn’t have liqueur - only nibs. So I proceeded to melt the cocoa butter I would be using, and thinking […]
Filed under: Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Musings | 5 Comments »
I’ve added an additional variation to the Venezuelan Sampler Packs - there is now a 4 lb version, giving you a full pound of each bean to experience, and it’s discounted 30% off the base price. Almost every week I get asked if milk chocolate can be made with fresh milk and I always […]
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It’s a day for announcements Just a lot of things to cover.
I’ll start off with that we have a new bean in, that we have not had in some time. The Co-op has really stepped up consistency, so whereas before, this cocoa bean had a good flavor, you had to work a bit for it. […]
Filed under: Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates, Cracking & Winnowing | 1 Comment »
While roasting up my samples of the up coming Tanzanian cocoa (it’s in - look for it over the weekend), I noticed how picture perfect it roasted up. They went from a slightly rough surface to a nice smooth surface. Just what you want to aim for. Also, unlike coffee, note there is not really […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Musings | No Comments »
