Chocolate for a Cause
It has been exactly a year since we last updated this space. 2021 has been such a ride so far and our team is grateful to be busy with new flavour creations and collaborations with like-minded partners. In this post, we will be casting a spotlight on one of our chocolate bars launched a while back in collaboration with Burung Indonesia.
The impact of traditional cocoa production
It might come as a surprise to many that mass-market commercial cocoa production has impacted the environment in multiple ways, mostly as a result of poverty-stricken farmers who engage in deforestation to create intensive cocoa plantations.
In a typical cocoa farm, the farming method often adopted is a monoculture - the cultivation of cacao trees exclusively on a piece of land. Production of one single crop on a plantation would eventually result in loss of soil nutrients, calling for deforestation to clear the way for more monoculture cacao. This repetitive cycle has seen its way through generations of cacao farmers as it allows them to maximise short-term profitability but at the detrimental expense of the environment.
Our commitment towards sustainable farming
In handcrafting every bar of chocolate, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring that the cacao beans are ethically sourced. One criterion we look out for is estates that engage in agroforestry as opposed to monocultures. This essentially means that the cacao trees are cultivated alongside other native trees and food crops, allowing wildlife to dwell in their natural habitat. The presence of a variety of species results in the formation of a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem, where the animal dung and cocoa waste, in turn, become organic fertilizer.
Three years ago, we crossed paths with a representative of Burung Indonesia at a local event and we were intrigued to learn of the great work they have been doing to overcome the seemingly never-ending cycle of monocultures and deforestation. Burung Indonesia, a partner of BirdLife International, works with smallholder farmers in Indonesia to produce high-quality cacao while protecting the environment where 1,777 species of birds dwell. By focusing on agroforestry, they were able to encourage agroecological restoration, where soil fertility is consistently rebuilt, hence improving agro-ecosystem functions that in turn reduce pests, diseases, and weed outbreaks. In the long run, this leads to more sustainable productivity for the farmers which is crucial for the local communities, while ensuring the preservation of the natural environment.
After learning about the organisation’s mandate and their painstaking conservation efforts, we were beyond excited to dedicate a bar to the cause.
A treat for all - from farm to customer
The farmers here at Makarti Jaya village in Sulawesi, Indonesia are making a difference in this new agroforestry scheme without harming the verdant Randangan forest through sustainable management of cocoa cultivation. Apart from the wildlife benefitting, the farmers are producing higher yields and fetching better prices for cacao beans which goes a long way in supporting their livelihoods.
This project is also taking a step towards gender equality by including a minimum of 10% of women in training activities. At present, women are involved in pod wrapping, harvesting, bean sorting, bean fermentation, and drying.
It came naturally to us, the name of this special bar - Burung, which stands for Bird in Bahasa Indonesia - in celebration of the birdlife in Sulawesi that was preserved from this program. Using cacao harvested from Makarti Jaya, the result is a delicious olive, tamarind, and raspberry character highlighted in the chocolate. Most importantly, it warms our hearts to know that the origins of these bars were able to benefit both birds and people.
Photos and Video Credits: Burung Indonesia