Thoughtful snacking to renew life -
from grower communities to you.

INTRODUCING GOOD KING SNACKING CACAO

 
 
“Every time I think I have settled on my favorite flavor, I taste another one and think, ‘hmmm... maybe this one is actually my favorite.’”
 
 

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“Good King has changed the landscape of chocolate in the most wonderful way. The texture is of a nut that has a hint of sweetness coupled with spices.”
 
 

FAVORITE CACAO SNACKS

 
 
“It’s a great food to put out at parties pairing with wine, cheese, or beer - it’s a relatively new food concept to most people making it fun for guests to try and a good conversation starter”
 

@GOODKINGCACAO ON INSTAGRAM

Eat more nuts & seeds. A lot more (8x!). This was one of the main conclusions from a study published last week in The Lancet on the Health Effects of Dietary Risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017 (http://bit.ly/moreseeds). Did you know that #cacaobeans are the seeds of cacao fruit? The study recommends an optimal intake of 21g a day (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) to reduce your diet-related disease risk. . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Other conclusions were less surprising – reduce sodium (
#Fermentation – it may not look tasty [yet!] – but this is the place where much of #cacao flavor potential develops. We’re excited to share more about fermentation @pnwchocolatesociety tomorrow night! . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #snackingcacao is not #chocolate, but it has challenges that can lead us to better #chocolatemaking. Most #craftchocolate makers can blend #cacaobeans from different fermentations – either for a more complex and balanced flavor journey or to hide flaws. We can’t – because each #cacaobean is enjoyed individually. . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This means a few things for us: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. We work with our grower partners to keep every fermentation batch separate so we can roast, blend and flavor according to that batch’s best potential, ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. We work only with #cacaogrowers who ferment exceptionally because we have nowhere to hide less than the best fermentation’s, and ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Though we are not located in a growing region, we have the privilege of tasting the differences from batch to batch, at various stages in harvest and across harvests. .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tomorrow night, we’ll be #tasting and #roasting #Indonesia and #Honduras #cocoabeans from different fermentations so you can taste the difference too! We hope you can join us! Link in the profile. . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #directtrade, #singleorigin, #vegan, #GMOfree, #womenownedbusiness, #seattlemade
(Spanish to follow ) Disclaimer: we are not launching chocolate. But, we’re too EXCITED not to share – heartfelt congratulations 🎊🍾🎉to our friends and partners @coagricsal – they have just opened their own #farmtobar #chocolate factory in Copan, #Honduras! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Everything they do is beautiful. While we haven’t yet been able to try bars from their new factory, based on their #organic #fairtrade #cacao, perfectly #fermented and dried #cacaobeans, and incredibly talented team, we know their #chocolates will be exquisite. And, they are so hospitable (and visionary), they planned for #chocolatetourism - tours of their demo #cocoafarm & factory from the beginning. So, if visiting #Honduras and the #Copan #MayanRuins are on your #bucketlist, now you have one more tasty reason to visit (for their #coffee too). .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a side note - You might wonder (as we certainly did) whether #snackingcacao is still a good business opportunity for a coop that is able to make #beantobar chocolate. We’re thankful to say yes. Even as they were building their new factory - they planned a new space to continue processing shelled #wholecacaobeans, with future plans for creating the finished snacks with their amazing team of women. ...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ En español (con ayuda de google 😉): Descargo de responsabilidad: no estamos introduciendo chocolate. Pero, estamos muy EXCITOS de no compartir, de todo corazón felicidades 🎉🍾🎊 a nuestros amigos y socios coagricsal - ¡acaban de abrir su propia fábrica de chocolate #fincaalabarra en Copan, Honduras! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Todo lo que hacen es hermoso. Si bien aún no hemos podido probar las barras de su nueva fábrica, pero basado en su #orgánico #comerciojusto #granosdecacao, perfectamente #fermentados y secos, y su equipo increíblemente talentoso, sé que sus chocolates serán exquisitos. Y, que son tan hospitalarios (y visionario), planearon para los viajes de su #fincadecacao de demostración y la fábrica desde el principio. Por lo tanto, si visita Honduras y Copan #ruinasmayas está en su #listadedeseos, ahora tiene una razón más para visitar (también para su #cafe). .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Continuado en comentarios...
#Love. Its true power is not in who or how many people love us (or don’t). Rather, its power and breathtaking beauty is best experienced in pouring ourselves out. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our #cacao growing communities model this #loveinaction remarkably- ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Radical #hospitality that nearly always includes sharing a meal - offered with joy and a warm welcome whether or not the visit was expected. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shared responsibility for family, home, business and community. A beautiful dance where everyone knows just when to step in to help – they need not be asked. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Generosity toward others that means quietly and deferentially going without so another can experience fulfillment. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That’s the kind of love that changes me and calls me higher to a more #purelove. As we celebrate Valentine’s day today, who inspires you to pour yourself out? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . . . . #snackingcacao #directtrade #singleorigin #vegan #GMOfree #betterforyou #womenownedbusiness #seattlemade #wholecacaobeans, #handcrafted #indonesia #honduras
The New Year caused us to ponder many things. Especially those things on which we spend our most precious time. So, we took prolonged time off social media to reconsider our mission here. . . . One of our tag lines has been, “Thoughtful snacking to renew life - from grower communities to you.” We want our collective experience on social media to be AS life giving as our snacks. From day 1, we’ve never wanted to perpetuate mindless snacking. We also hope NOT to perpetuate mindless, lifeless scrolling. . . . Going forward, rather than stay on the surface and only share pretty (and sometimes, not even that pretty) pictures, we hope to go deeper with you. . . . We will post less often, but more thoughtfully. We will share only the things that we believe will enrich your life. Because, in the end, we really want to create more harmony, love, peace, strength & joy (beyond the snacking cacao variety) for the world: both online and off. . . . Thanks for continuing to be a life-giving part of OUR journey!
#Christmas came early for me (Kim) this year. One of the most #thoughtfulgifts I’ve every received was a group gift from Las Mujeres de @coagricsal. They gave me a #handmadecard and oh-so-sparkly necklace and earrings. Words, tears and hugs were abundant. I love their #cacaobeans, but I cherish THEM and their incredibly generous hearts immeasurably more!! ... Translation: for: Kim. Thank you for your friendship, help and teaching. We hope you return soon!! From: Nolvia, Miriam, Maribel, Doña Mela, Hilda, Suyapa, Indira, July and Alejandra. I hope I return soon too! And now I wear a daily reminder of these amazing women - always close to my heart. ... #grateful #directtrade, #singleorigin, #womenownedbusiness, #cacao #snackingcacao, #wholecacaobeans, #honduras
These FABULOUS women (missing: Alejandra and Doña Mela). Mis amigas, mis compañeras... They are brilliant, extremely hard working, creative, supportive, kind and fun. And they (along with the growers and fermentation + drying team) are the reason #Harmony #snackingcacao tastes so good. Because “Harmony” perfectly describes how this team works together. . . . . . #directtrade, #singleorigin, #vegan, #GMOfree, #organic, #womenownedbusiness, #wholecacaobeans, #handcrafted #madewithlove
Class time! Having so much fun teaching our partners @coagricsal to make #snackingcacao with #localingredients and to develop their own recipes to appeal to their local market and export in the future! I can’t wait for the day. ❤️ . . . . . #directtrade, #singleorigin, #womenownedbusiness, #hechoenhonduras, #cacaodehonduras, #wholecacaobeans, #crunchy, #handcrafted
Day 1 of #drying #cacao for Good King. We’re so spoiled! Our partner @coagricsal knows our #cacaobeans are enjoyed individually, so only the most flavorful and consistently #fermented lots are allocated to us (vs. giving us whatever is available). If it passes the quality test, they slowly and carefully dry the lot to create that #smooth, #awardwinning flavor we’ve come to expect from #Harmony. Today, the cacao will spend only 2 hours in the sun and then the drying trays will be rolled back into the building to “rest” for the night. . . . . . #directtrade, #singleorigin, #vegan, #snackingcacao, #wholecacaobeans, #handcrafted #honduras
Today I mentioned that I’d like to see a #coffeefarm before I leave #honduras. After all, our partner, @coagricsal is one of the top #fairtrade #organic #coffee co-ops in Latin America (#cacao is a more recent addition to their repertoire). “How about now?” was their response. And just like that, I found myself on the most breathtaking 3 hour tour of Don Oscar’s farm. So, so very grateful for their incredible #hospitality and #generosity. And yes - the mountains are very difficult to travel, so while we didn’t ride horses today, it’s entirely possible your coffee did! #directtrade #singleorigin #withlove
A beautiful day in every way with the Bertagna family and @bertagna_nut_co in #Chico, CA. They grow the remarkable #redwalnuts in our Strength Blend (with #Chili & #orange #snackingcacao and #driedcranberries). Heavy rains this week cleared not only the air of the devastating Camp fire smoke, but also the trees of any remaining leaves - blanketing the ground in breathtaking hues of yellows and greens. #walnut harvest is clearly over, but the work of carefully shelling these beauties will continue for many months. We tremendously enjoyed spending the day learning more about their process. Even more, we cherished #familytime and stories over lunch with three generations of Bertagna’s @sierranevada while savoring an #autumnsalad #lunchspecial topped with their red walnuts. And what fun to see the motorized #harvest tools of the next generation. 😉 #startingherearly Our hearts are full as we continue south on our journey. Next stop, #Honduras! . . . . . #directtrade #allnatural #nongmo #plantbased #gourmet #cacao #trailmix #snacks
It’s #smallbusiness Saturday! The US government defines a small business as less than 500 employees. We define it as a business that treats coworkers and customers like friends and family (ha ha – many are!) like… . #Handwrittennotes with each mail order, custom #giftwrapping and #gifttags free of charge (pictured) because we’ve witnessed too many late night, last-minute wrapping sessions... . Texts or calls from #cacao #growers and customers-turned-friends just to say, “I’m thinking of you” or “I can’t wait to see you” – not because we have any immediate business, but because we care. . #decisions based on whether it’s the right thing to do – regardless of whether there will be a payout. . #plantbased #snacks made with #directtrade, #allnatural and #organic ingredients with very little added sugar or salt – because we want you (and our growers and land) to live a long, #healthy life! . #snackingcacao and #trailmix made by partners who give us only their absolute best because they know you’ll #tastethedifference (and have taught us to do the same – thus those #halfprice batches “not fit for a king” and many others that never make it that far…) . We hope to be bigger someday! But in these ways and others, we hope we always #staysmall. . . . . . #shopsmall #womenownedbusiness #seattlemade #vegansnacks #wholecacaobeans #smallgifts
 

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