Description
9th & Larkin sources their Fijian beans from Cacao Fiji. Founded in 2014 by Arif Khan, Matasawalevu cocoa is part of a cocoa industry revitalization project on Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu. Arif started Cacao Fiji after tasting a chocolate bar sourced from Fiji beans and learnt about farmers’ struggling in finding markets for their cocoa. As a native Fijian, he decided to return to his home country and made it his mission to revive Fiji’s cacao industry. Through Cacao Fiji, Arif runs the Matasawalevu Cocoa Project at the Matasawalevu Cocoa Farm located on 100 acres in the hills of Dreketi, Macuata in Northern Fiji. The Matasawalevu Cocoa Farm closely follows traditional post-harvest processing techniques and has a reputation for producing high quality cocoa.
This microbatch soaks the Fiji nibs in Brandy for days before they are made into chocolate. The flavor of Brandy still lingers, and brings out notes of maple, butterscotch on a nice chocolate background. Best enjoyed on a clean palate.