Sources of bulk, fair-trade baking chocolate and cocoa?
May 17, 2017 3:09 PM Subscribe
I want to be sure the chocolate I use in my baking (and I use a lot) is ethically sourced. Five or so years ago, I ordered from multiple sources, and settled on one. That source (Mama Ganache) is switching from baking ingredients to finished chocolates. The other sources I checked out are doing the same.
I am looking for a source that sells:
* bulk, minimum 1 pound orders, up to 10 or more pounds;
* certified fair trade;
* a variety of chocolates (white, unsweetened, 45%, 70%) and cocoa (dutch, natural); and
* preferably buttons or bars that are easily chopped, and not giant blocks.
Anyone have a favorite supplier?
I am looking for a source that sells:
* bulk, minimum 1 pound orders, up to 10 or more pounds;
* certified fair trade;
* a variety of chocolates (white, unsweetened, 45%, 70%) and cocoa (dutch, natural); and
* preferably buttons or bars that are easily chopped, and not giant blocks.
Anyone have a favorite supplier?
Perhaps the google keyword you are missing is "couverture"? Searching for "Ethical Couverture" finds a variety of sources, "Fair Trade couverture" some others.
Maybe you already know this, but "couverture" is the term for basic bulk chocolate intended for being melted and remade as chocolate candies.
Hope this helps!
posted by contrarian at 5:32 PM on May 17, 2017
Maybe you already know this, but "couverture" is the term for basic bulk chocolate intended for being melted and remade as chocolate candies.
Hope this helps!
posted by contrarian at 5:32 PM on May 17, 2017
I second Taza (and Lagusta's, so good!). I've baked based on Taza's recipes and been happy but do note the chocolate is stone ground and may have a different (imo great) texture than you're expecting.
posted by ferret branca at 5:35 PM on May 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ferret branca at 5:35 PM on May 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
There are some pretty systemic problems with how Fair-Trade practices are implemented and how the producers operate in the FT system. I'm not saying it's entirely bad, but it's like paying minimum wage to folks.
Most major cities have a good, independent chocolatier that might be able to supply decent couverture to you; I would contact them directly with your question to see if you can find anything that's reasonably priced, but better than FT. They might even have something you can buy, as even some of those bean-to-bar places do rely on couverture to some degree (some do not, but all will know better places to get it than the public has access to).
I would also drop Colin Gasko at Rogue Chocolatier and email to see if he can chime in; better-than-fair-trade is something they do VERY well, and could probably point you in the right direction.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:47 AM on May 18, 2017
Most major cities have a good, independent chocolatier that might be able to supply decent couverture to you; I would contact them directly with your question to see if you can find anything that's reasonably priced, but better than FT. They might even have something you can buy, as even some of those bean-to-bar places do rely on couverture to some degree (some do not, but all will know better places to get it than the public has access to).
I would also drop Colin Gasko at Rogue Chocolatier and email to see if he can chime in; better-than-fair-trade is something they do VERY well, and could probably point you in the right direction.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:47 AM on May 18, 2017
Equal Exchange does bulk orders for cocoa powder and a case of 12 packages of chocolate chips is $59. I have used both before and liked them, but I am not a regular baker.
posted by spamandkimchi at 1:00 PM on May 18, 2017
posted by spamandkimchi at 1:00 PM on May 18, 2017
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posted by annaramma at 5:00 PM on May 17, 2017 [1 favorite]