シングルオリジンチョコレートとは？ カカオ豆の産地ごとの特徴を紹介！
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You may be wondering what makes single-origin chocolate different from ordinary chocolate. There are many different types of chocolate, and they are called differently depending on whether the cacao comes from a single or multiple sources.
This article will explain the characteristics of single-origin chocolate, how it differs from single bean, and how to enjoy the taste of chocolate. In the latter half of the article, we also introduce recommended chocolate sweets using low-sugar, high-quality cacao. We hope you will find it useful.
What is single-origin chocolate?
Single origin chocolate is chocolate made from cacao beans grown in a specific country or region.
Chocolate is commonly made from multiple varieties of cacao beans grown in various countries of origin. Single origin chocolate, on the other hand, uses only a single cacao bean of a single country of origin and variety. Among single-origin chocolates, chocolates made from organically produced cacao beans are called single-origin organic chocolates.
The main characteristic of single-origin chocolate is that each origin has its own unique flavor. In recent years, more and more manufacturers are seeking cacao beans with unique flavors, and the differences among cacao bean origins are attracting attention. Tasting chocolates from different regions allows one to enjoy a wide variety of flavors. For example, sweet, rich aromas and exotic fruit flavors.
Characteristics of Single Origin Chocolate by Region
Single origin chocolates are characterized by the fact that each region of origin has different flavors, each with its own unique aroma. The main regions of origin for single-origin chocolate are largely West Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. The table below summarizes the flavors, varieties, and other characteristics of each cacao bean.
|
producing area |
feature |
|
West Africa (Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, etc.) |
It has a bittersweet yet savory taste like cocoa powder. The main variety is Forastero. |
|
Latin America (Brazil, Ecuador, etc.) |
Sweet and low in bitterness. Main varieties are Arriba and Criollo |
|
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, etc.) |
・Strong acidity and aroma when roasted. Smoky and fruity aroma. The main variety is Forastero. |
This chapter describes the characteristics of single-origin chocolates by region of origin.
West Africa
In West Africa, single-origin cacao beans are grown in countries such as Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire are known as one of the world's leading producers of cacao beans. Most of the cacao beans used in chocolate, cocoa powder, and other products manufactured in Japan come from Ghana.
The main growing areas in West Africa are hot, humid, and covered with tropical rainforests. The main variety grown is Forastero, which grows quickly and is resistant to pests and diseases. Cacao beans have a flattened shape and are characterized by astringency, acidity, and bitterness.
West African cacao beans tend to have a strong spicy or cocoa powder-like aroma. They are recommended for those who prefer rich and bitter beverages such as black beer and deep roasted coffee.
Central and South America
Latin America is known as the birthplace of cacao, and the country with the largest production is Brazil. The main varieties grown in Latin America are Arriba and Criollo. Arriba has a light astringency and a mellow floral flavor like jasmine.
Criollo, on the other hand, is susceptible to pests and diseases and must be cultivated with care, making it one of the most difficult single-origin varieties to grow and is considered rare. Cacao beans from Central and South America have a variety of aromas such as nuts, herbs, and fruits. For this reason, they are often used for aroma and flavoring. In recent years, the Trinitario variety, a hybrid of Criollo and Forastero, which is resistant to pests and diseases, has been successfully cultivated.
Southeast Asia
The main countries in Southeast Asia that grow cacao beans are Indonesia and the Philippines. The main growing areas in Southeast Asia are humid tropical rainforest regions. Volcanic soils and fertile farmlands are also mentioned. In recent years, Vietnam has been promoted as an emerging country for cacao bean cultivation.
The main variety grown in Southeast Asia is Forastero, which is characterized by its high acidity. Cacao beans are characterized by a strong aroma like smoked grass or wood. In many cases, fires are started with charcoal or propane gas to artificially dry cacao beans. Cacao beans that have undergone the fermentation and drying process tend to have a pronounced acidity and fruity aroma. They are especially recommended for people who like smoked foods, whiskey, and other fruity tastes.
Difference between single-origin chocolate and single bean
Single beans refer to cacao beans grown in a specific region. Chocolate made using only those cacao beans is called single bean chocolate, and is characterized by the unique taste and aroma of each region.
Single origin, on the other hand, likewise refers to cacao beans grown in a specific country or region. Therefore, “single bean” and “single origin” are commonly used to mean almost the same thing. Although the name “single-origin chocolate” is generally more widely known, it is also sometimes referred to as single bean.
The term “single bean” is also used for coffee, for example, Kilimanjaro from Tanzania and Blue Mountain from Jamaica are typical examples.
How to Taste Single Origin Chocolate
If you want to enjoy the taste of single-origin chocolate, it is recommended to be creative with the thickness of the chocolate, the way you eat it, and the beverages you drink it with. In this chapter, we will discuss tasting and pairing single-origin chocolates with beverages.
Single Origin Chocolate Tasting
To enjoy the taste of single-origin chocolate, melt the chocolate using only the temperature of your mouth. Try eating it as if you were licking a piece of candy instead of chewing it. A bite of chocolate should be about the size of the first joint of your little finger, and 1-2 cm thick. If the chocolate is too large, you will need to chew it and will not be able to enjoy the true flavor of the chocolate. On the other hand, if the chocolate is too small, it will be difficult to taste the flavors. Tasting the chocolate with air, like wine tasting, makes it easier to perceive the aroma of the chocolate.
It is also important to be relaxed when tasting single-origin chocolates. It is also important to be relaxed when tasting single-origin chocolates. It is better to be relaxed and not think about anything else, so that you can taste the true flavor of the chocolate rather than to be enthusiastic about tasting it.
Pairing with Coffee and Tea
Single origin chocolate pairs well with coffee and tea for a delicious taste experience. Bitter coffee is a good choice, especially when eating sweet chocolate. The raw materials for both chocolate and coffee are cacao beans, and the manufacturing processes, such as fermentation and roasting, are similar. Pairing chocolate with a beverage that has similar ingredients and manufacturing processes will give it a delicious taste.
If you are not a fan of coffee, pairing with black tea is recommended. Black tea contains plant-derived polyphenols called tannins. Tannins also break down fats and oils, so drinking black tea after eating chocolate will refresh your palate. Pairing it with black tea will keep you from getting tired of chocolate.
Pairing with Green Tea
Single origin chocolates are also recommended for pairing with green tea. Many people may find the combination of chocolate, which represents a Western sweet, and green tea, which represents the Japanese taste, surprising. Green tea is more palatable than coffee or black tea and has a milder flavor. Like black tea, green tea also contains tannin, a plant-derived polyphenol, and the pairing of green tea and chocolate enhances the original flavor and aroma of chocolate without interfering with its flavor.
Green tea is recommended for pairing with dark chocolate, which has the lowest sugar content of all chocolates and allows you to taste more of the cacao flavor. If you eat sweet chocolate, you can also pair it with matcha, which has a bitter taste. Pairing matcha with chocolate will take your taste buds to the next level.
Pairing with Alcoholic Beverages
Single origin chocolate is also considered to pair well with alcoholic beverages. When chocolate is paired with alcoholic beverages, it is usually paired with whiskey or brandy, but chocolate is also said to pair well with wine. Chocolate and wine have one thing in common: they both contain high levels of polyphenols. Pairing with sweet red wine or rosé, which is in between red and white wines, is especially recommended.
Chocolate can also be paired with sake. For example, if you eat sweet chocolate, a full-bodied sake will go well with it. If you eat bitter chocolate, you should pair it with dry sake. In this way, both sake and chocolate can be enjoyed by pairing them with beverages that have something in common with chocolate.
Three recommended low-sugar, high-quality chocolates
Some people would like to taste high-quality chocolate but are hesitant to eat it due to sugar restrictions or dieting. In this chapter, we introduce three types of chocolates made from low-sugar, high-quality cacao beans that are available at NATUVIEW, a brand specializing in keto foods.
mixture of chocolate, cream and liquor, used in truffles, ganache, etc.
Raw chocolate is a low-sugar, low-sugar chocolate that is not too sweet. You can enjoy the mouth-watering taste and aroma of chocolate while taking care of your health. Raw chocolate is characterized by its rich cocoa flavor and smooth mouth feel. It is cut into bite-size pieces and melts in the mouth.
The sugar content is 93% less than that of ordinary raw chocolate. This means that even those on a sugar restriction or diet can enjoy the chocolate. The ingredients are also highly particular, with grass-fed butter made from milk of cows raised on natural grass fed in a vast natural environment, and high quality cacao. Nutritional information per box of raw chocolate is as follows
Energy: 459 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1.8g
Protein: 5.4g
Fat: 40.5g
Dietary fiber: 4.5 g
Salt equivalent：0g
Click here for the raw chocolate product page
Amandes chocolates
Amande Chocolat is a chocolatey sweet made of carefully roasted almonds coated with dark chocolate. This luxurious piece of chocolate offers the crispy texture and aroma of almonds and the rich sweetness of chocolate. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is expected to have antioxidant properties and is attracting attention in the fields of beauty and health.
With only 2.1 g of sugar contained in Amande Chocolat, this product is recommended for those who are concerned about their health. Ingredients include high-quality chocolate and naturally derived sweeteners. Nutritional information per box of Amande Chocolat is as follows.
Energy: 201 kcal
Carbohydrates: 2.1g
Protein: 4.9g
Fat: 16.5g
Dietary fiber: 6.7 g
Salt equivalent：0g
Click here for the Amandes Chocolat product page
gateau chocolate
Gateau chocolat is a traditional French sweet that allows you to enjoy the rich chocolate flavor. Although it is a baked pastry, it is smooth in the mouth and offers a fine chocolate flavor. Not only is it low in sugar (only 0.8 g), but it is also gluten-free and sugar-free, allowing those on a sugar restriction or diet to enjoy this sweet treat without feeling guilty.
Ingredients include grass-fed butter and naturally derived sweeteners, allowing consumers to consume dietary fiber while enjoying this chocolate-flavored sweet treat. Nutritional information per serving of gateau chocolat is as follows
Energy: 883 kcal
Carbohydrates: 0.8g
Protein: 12.4g
Fat: 81.6g
Dietary fiber: 11.5 g
Salt equivalent: 0.2g
Click here for the Gâteau Chocolat product page
SUMMARY
Single origin chocolates are made from cacao beans of the same origin and variety. Because only a single origin or variety of cacao is used, each region reveals its own individuality in flavor.
If you are looking for a guilt-free way to enjoy chocolate while restricting sugar and dieting, NATUVIEW's sweets are a great choice.
NATUVIEW specializes in keto foods with a large selection of gluten-free and low-sugar foods. We also offer low-sugar chocolates made with high-quality cacao, making them a great choice for snacking while restricting sugar or dieting. If you are looking for low-sugar, high-quality chocolates, you are sure to find what you are looking for.