Cacao Liquor Paste

In my next creation, I use organic raw Criollo cacao beans—an exceptional variety known for its rich aroma and superior flavor. This high-quality bean is the same one used by luxury chocolate brands like Valrhona, as well as artisanal makers such as Duffy’s and Forever Cacao. Celebrated as a delicacy, Criollo beans have a naturally higher fat content and are prized by chocolate connoisseurs around the world. The base of my product is 100% raw cacao—pure and unprocessed, with no preservatives or additives—allowing the true essence of the bean to shine through.

This particular cacao liquor is a high-functioning superfood, packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It is roasted and alkalised using the Dutch process.

Grown in the Peruvian Amazon—the spiritual home of cacao—it is cultivated sustainably among trees and shrubs using an agroforestry land management system. This method has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to the fertilizer-heavy plantations commonly found in West Africa, which often lead to extensive deforestation.

Peru and cacao share a deeply intertwined history. The crop is typically grown by smallholders, with the main harvesting season taking place between April and September, known locally as "la cosecha grande" (the big harvest).

The harvested cacao is sold to cooperatives, which act as intermediaries. It is processed in Peru before being transported by truck to Lima and exported to the UK.

Cacao liquor begins with cacao nibs, which are ground into what’s known as cacao liquor—also referred to as unsweetened chocolate or cacao mass. The grinding process generates heat, which melts the fat in the dry nibs, transforming the mixture into a liquid. This liquor contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter in roughly equal proportions.

Nutritional Information (per 100g) – Peruvian Criollo Cacao Liquor Mass:

• Energy: 2703 kJ / 646 kcal

• Fat: 53g

  • of which saturates: 32.8g

• Carbohydrates: 13g

  • of which sugars: 2g

• Fibre: 14.7g

• Protein: 14.5g

• Salt: 0.1g