Spring chocolate (from February)

Milk chocolate with 38% cocoa content Fine extra-light Criollo beans from Papua New Guinea, with delicate caramel and intense cocoa flavor, paired with candied violet blossoms, strawberries and grains of paradise. Spring couldn’t be tastier. Milk chocolate – spring chocolate with exclusive and exotic ingredients The most delicious way to welcome and enjoy spring. The Criollo beans for this exclusive spring chocolate come from Papua New Guinea. Grains of paradise are used in this chocolate. They originally come from the area of ​​West Africa as far as Uganda and Angola. In the Middle Ages they reached North Africa and from there to Europe. Here they were often used as a cheap substitute for pepper. In the 15. In the 18th century, the Portuguese exported the grains of paradise from West Africa to Lisbon by ship under the name “Guinea pepper”. The grains of paradise lost their importance when real pepper could be imported by sea from India. They have a spicy, hot taste that doesn't burn. Nowadays in Europe they are mainly used for ancient recipes, such as gingerbread, sausages, beer or bitters. As a spice, grains of paradise are still mainly used in northwest Africa. Another ingredient for this exclusive chocolate is pistachios. These have been around in the wild for about 10,000 years BC. BC known, but the trees were not cultivated until ancient times. The pistachio came to Italy around the year 0. It was very popular because it had a long shelf life and was therefore easy to take with you when travelling. The pistachio came to America in the 1880s through immigrants from the Middle East. It did not arrive in the USA until around 1930. The pistachio is grown in California. Other areas include Iran, Türkiye, Syria, Greece, Sicily and Andalusia. The harvest time is in September and is carried out by mechanical tree shakers. After harvesting, the pistachio is separated from its shell and pulp by washing. They are then dried in the sun, mainly for sale in oriental countries. Otherwise, they are dried in the processing plants and stored in silos. Otherwise, pepper is added and dried strawberries give a fruity crunch. An eye-catcher are the chopped violets, which are sprinkled by hand onto the chocolate after pouring. Milk chocolate – spring chocolate with a unique taste from Papua New Guinea How the cocoa plant came to Papua New Guinea is controversial. The date is set for the end of the 19th century.,Early 20s Century estimated. It is also questionable which variety, whether Criollo, Trinitario or Forastero, was introduced at that time. In the end, however, all three varieties were found on the island. In the 1950s, cocoa trees were grown on plantations and thus accounted for 95% of export products. In the 1960s, there was a change in thinking and cocoa was now grown by small farmers in subsistence agriculture. In addition to cocoa trees, plants such as bananas, nuts, vegetables and coconuts are also grown. Although this results in a lower yield of cocoa for the farmers, they can provide for themselves through the other plants and women are also included in the processing. It is also a forward-looking direction for nature and environmental sustainability. In addition, the use of fertilizers and pesticides is avoided. In order to give these small farmers the opportunity to sell their excellent cocoa, associations are being formed to make this easier. This also results in a higher price for the cocoa. In addition, the beans are purchased while still wet, so they have a higher weight and the farmers earn a higher amount. After the cocoa pod borer plague broke out in the 2000s, only a portion of the original trees remained. Through international reforestation programs with Trinitario clones, the existing stocks are being replenished and attempts are being made to regain the original stock levels. Due to its small stock, the aromatic cocoa from Papua New Guinea is very popular, especially because the soil conditions combined with persistent rain and periods of hot, dry weather have given it an incomparable aroma.    In a gift package with the appropriate wine or spirits, this exclusive chocolate can serve as an excellent souvenir. It is a welcome present for Father's Day, Mother's Day or Valentine's Day. But the chocolate is also an extraordinary idea when packaged in an Easter basket. You can order chocolate and pralines online here in the Schell Chocolates shop. We deliver the chocolates and pralines to the address of your choice. If you wish, you can also have our handcrafted products sent to friends and family. They will certainly be delighted with the exclusive chocolates or delicious pralines. Or stop by our café and enjoy a delicious piece of cake or tart from our in-house pastry shop with an excellent cup of coffee. There we also offer our exclusive chocolates and pralines to take away.