Forum Activity for @Charlie

Charlie
@Charlie
03/05/10 18:45:55
3 posts

Unfair Trade in Belize - How Kraft Shafts Cocoa Farmers


Posted in: Opinion

As once a member of Fair Trade for coffee I found that it does not make a difference in quality of the product and in fact the farmers only receive a small and I mean very small percent. Ask the Fair Trade Org to show you their financial output and you will be banished from their membership. Not really but you will never receive what you ask for! I do believe in assisting these farmers in making more profit but not by using several middleman companies that take most off the top. I actually question what true organic really is. If by the time you receive your product is it still considered organic? Fumes from the cargo area are absorbed by a lot of products. Organic label does not eliminate the entire use of fertilizers but will allow a low % of various types. This is what I have read under guidelines for declaring organic food. Maybe cacao is different, to new in the biz to know really. I do know the farmers deserve better and would be better off dealing direct.
Charlie
@Charlie
02/21/10 09:16:19
3 posts

Coco Town's Grindeur


Posted in: Uncategorized

I am looking for anyone who has had experiences with their Grindeur, small or large.
Thanks in Advance!
Charlie

updated by @Charlie: 04/12/15 18:24:21
Charlie
@Charlie
02/15/10 19:34:43
3 posts

Equipment Suggestions


Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

Greetings!
I became involved in Specialty coffee bean roasting a year and a half ago and have been interested in roasting and processing cacao beans. My green bean supplier has contacts that would help me choose.
I currently have two commercial roasters and will be purchasing a roaster( small one to start ) for the cacao beans from the same manufacturer. I really don't see the difference but there must be something.

We have Tazza Chocolate here in MA and was very impressed with their start up story and their artisan way of producing their finished chocolate. Although I would love to get an old roaster and melanguer, I feel the time looking and refurbishing would not put me where I want to be. So I guess my questions are....Santha products, any experiences? I looked at the BLT winnower and still looking.

I know what questions will be asked of me and that is volume. Not sure but I would rather purchase once than twice. I just want to offer something different with my coffee blends.

Any leads in the right direction for equipment will greatly be appreciated.
This forum is great and I spent all day reading every post.

Thanks
Charlie


updated by @Charlie: 05/10/15 03:09:04