Our Story

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 2016, as a birthday gift, I decided to enroll in a hands-on cooking/baking class which turned out to be a Bean-to-bar chocolate making class. The class did not include the nuances of chocolate making but rather explained the general overall process of grinding chocolate from cocoa beans. I left the class with a 2 lb. bag of cocoa nibs which later turned into my first personal chocolate bar. There was no turning back at this point, it had awoken my inner chocolate monster and I began to think of how cool it would be to make my own chocolate and eat it too.

Within two years, the science, technology, passion, and madness behind chocolate making has created 'Dwaar Chocolate'. The “doors to the chocolate world” hence swung wide open.

OUR PROCESS

Cocoa traditionally grows along the Equatorial belt; 15ºN and 15ºS of the Equator. The cocoa beans are collected, fermented, and dried by either the cocoa farmer or a collection agency. 

Dry beans arrive at Dwaar Chocolate with approximately 5-7% moisture content. Upon arrival, the beans undergo the following process:

  • SORTING

    To remove all debris. Separation by size to ensure consistent roasting.

  • ROASTING

    Roasting serves two purposes:

    1. Kills all microbials.
    2. Enhances natural cocoa profile, some are more fruity than others that are citrusy or nutty.

  • CRACKING & WINNOWING

    The beans are crushed into smaller pieces and the husk is removed from the nib.

  • GRINDING & CONCHING

    The beans take on a more chocolate feel at this point; the nibs are crushed to a smooth fine paste between stone grinders, sugar is added, and ground to a fine smooth velvety texture.

  • TEMPERING & MOLDING

    To give a nice shiny smooth texture to the bar and a perfect sharp snap.

The process generally takes 24 hrs to transform from a bean to a bar. But here at Dwaar Chocolate, like wine, we let the chocolate age a few months to ripen the flavors. This allows you, the chocolate enthusiast, enjoy the more robust flavors while the astringent acids vaporize.

OUR COCOA BEAN SOURCE

A good product always starts with good ingredients. The quality of the chocolate is determined by the quality of the cocoa beans. Why take someone's word for it when you can go to the source of the ingredient and experience it first-hand.

In April of 2018, I visited two cocoa farms in Ecuador; in Puerto Quito and Esmeraldas. I had the pleasure of meeting farmers who work the farms to produce the best quality beans in the world. Majority of the ingredient suppliers work closely with the farmers and are often directly sourced without a middle man. 

Our cocoa beans are currently sourced from Fiji, Ecuador, Madagascar, India, Guatemala and Mexico.