Description
Duffy is an early supporter and promoter of the ‘Direct Trade’ movement, which goes well beyond Fairtrade standards. Duffy follows a ‘Direct Cacao’ model, in which chocolate makers agree to pay whatever price the farmer asks for his cacao beans – without complaining. This premium paid for the cacao encourages the farmer to take more care of his or her crop, from fermenting the beans well to drying them properly. Working like this also encourages farmers to actually grow ‘fine-flavour’ opposed to ‘bulk’ cacao – the vision behind ‘Direct Cacao’ in changing the future for cacao farmers and fine chocolate.
In essence, Duffy sources the cacao beans for his chocolate directly from farmers and co-operatives, ensuring a higher price for the farmer and a better quality product.
Duffy started his chocolate journey in Guatemala, buying cacao from Xoco, who cultivate their cacao strains in distinct locations with specific conditions: factoring in rainfall, altitude, humidity, etc. Duffy’s relationship and trust in Xoco then allowed him to explore different beans from different origins, for example Honduras and Nicaragua. The Chuno bean strain for Duffy’s Oh Juno! grows south of the Lake Managua in Nicaragua.
Tasting Note
This dark chocolate is a complex mix of fresh hay, mellow red fruit and a roast chestnut aftertaste. The melt is smooth
Ben S. –
Classic Duffy – about as good as it gets