Askinosie Chocolate
Askinosie Chocolate likes to be first. They’re the first small-batch, 100% traceable bean-to-bar boutique chocolatier in the US to import cocoa beans from the Philippines in 25 years. They’re the first small-batch chocolate factory to press their own cocoa butter. And they’re leading the pack in sourcing their cocoa beans directly from small farmers, paying them above Fair Trade prices while sharing 10% net profits too. Indeed, this unassuming Missouri chocolatier — the genius of a former criminal defense attorney — is like the little chocolate company that could.
Oh, and how it can. In addition to Askinosie’s organic, natural, shade-grown, sustainable, single origin, bean-to-bar practices, they’re chocolate is good. Damn good. One bite of their dark chocolate bar reveals an intense, almost coffee like, richness that is pure and creamy, without being even a touch too sweet. Better yet, its cocoa beans come from the only woman led farmer group in Tanzania.
While their dark milk and fleur de sel bar is just as smooth and delightful, it’s slightly less intense than their dark variety but perfectly balanced out with surprising – and welcomed – bites of briny salt. Askinosie’s Hey, Hey Hazelnut chocolate hazelnut spread too is nuttier and tastier than it’s corporate, European counterpart (hey Nutella, we’re looking at you).
And the icing on this scrumptious Fair Trade cake? Thepackaging. It’s dreamy. A reflection of Askinosie’s philosophies, the eco-inspired packaging rocks an organic, well-traveled feel. Passport-like stamps, photos of farmers, twine ties, typewriter font, and a striking natural paper wrap-up their handmade bars.
So go on, take the guilt out of your chocolate addiction.
Tagged: amazing Chocolate packaging, cool chocolate, eco-friendly chocolate
Also by THE URBAN GROCER
Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat: a chocolatier in Vietnam
There’s a lot to be said about Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat, the first single-origin, artisanal chocolatier in Vietnam. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat is one of the only bean-to-bar chocolatiers in the world to produce chocolate at its place of origin. Read more
The Dutch Baby: oven-baked pancake from Ottawa’s Edgar’s
An oven-baked pancake with soufflé tendencies drizzled with lemon juice and dusted with sugar. Ah, the dutch baby. Thanks to an inspired brunch from Ottawa’s tiny but potent Edgar’s, this old school favorite is making a modern-day coming back. Here, chef/owner Marysol reinvents this classic, turning it into a masterpiece of the sweet and salty persuasion. First, the dutch baby is baked in a skillet greased with duck fat, then filled with tender, salty pork belly, nestled beside chunky apple compote and dotted with knobs of aged cheddar. It’s topped off with a splatter of maple syrup (this is Canada, after all) making it the best new brunch in town. Here’s hoping this is a trend that takes off.
SnoBAr: a shaved ice shop in West Hollywood
Though I’ve yet to visit SnoBar – a natural “shaved ice” spot that’s opened shop in West Hollywood, – one look at that paper-thin texture makes me want to hop on a flight direct to California. Based on a traditional Taiwanese dessert, SnoBar’s shaved ice claims to have the creaminess of ice cream in a ‘feathery, cotton candy-like texture’. (Yes please!) In flavors like green tea, taro, honeydew, and rose, it’s gaining rave reviews from Los Angelinos, hailing it the next big trend. To quote one local blogger, ‘If ice cream could whisper, this is what it would say’. I think a little on-hands research is definitely in order.
YOU'RE SAYING (0)
No comments yet.
HAVE YOUR SAY
This design by Gabriel Dishaw is an original creation constructed from little more than old junk such as adding machines, typewriters, and computer parts bound together using wire. Read more
Artist Bodie Dennis ‘recently stumbled upon these unfinished mashups while cleaning out’ his archives. We’re buzzed that he did. May the force be with them indeed. Read more
The Hatton hotel epitomises Melbourne cool. Those who value design, location, and luxury will find The Hatton the perfect Melbourne base. Read more
Our friends over at Sex In Art recently posted the work of Japanese artist Aya Kato. Says Justin, the founder of the site: ‘I have this folder on my desktop titled Cool Shiat. It’s where I save all the inspirational images I find on the net. I’ve just finished filling it up with Aya Kato’s amazing images. Argh wow. Wow, wow, wow. I won’t say anymore. Just check her work out for yourself’. Read more
Lyon-based Babylon Circus is music laced with ska, gypsy, rock, vaudevillian antics, dancehall and reggae. Their first Australian East Coast tour in 2008 saw the nine piece band sell every show out. They feature on the So Frenchy So Chic compilation. We asked them to tell us about their favourite music right now, and they started with Django Reinhardt’s Minor Swing [listen below]: ‘Backstage, home, in the bus, cooking or having breakfast, is there a time you wouldn’t love to hear this one? We love it anytime, any style, too, as it’s been remixed and rearranged so many different ways. Still, we love the original best’.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
London fashion collective Noi Wear are knocking out some seriously cool garments at the moment, with each range based on a tantalizingly bohemian theme. Check out their online promotion for the Carnival of Fear line, mixing performance arts with straight up fashion. Very tempting to the eyes. Read more
Want to win a whole boatload of awesomeness from our online store? OK, then. Enter our giveaway and you could be the lucky winner of a grab bag featuring some real shop favorites. Read more
FOLLOW US
Send us cool stuff!
If you're in PR, you run a fashion label, or you just have an awesome product for us to feature, send it to us! We'll check it out. Heck, we may even introduce it to our 510,000 unique monthly visitors. Score. Right?
Necklush’s multi-strand scarves, infinity necklaces, and show stopping cuffs are the ultimate fusion accessories. These hand-printed pieces are about as versatile as they come: scarf, necklace, bracelet wrap, all in one. Each unique accessory is a piece of art, coming straight at you from designers Troy and Stephano in Brooklyn. Necklush scarves and cuffs are currently a featured collection in the Lost At E Minor online store. Read more
DISCOVER MORE
SO...
SEARCH: Can't find what you're looking for? Do a search..
IS IT GOOD FOR YOU TOO?
We hope you're enjoying your time on Lost At E Minor, but it's not over yet. Got something to share? Tell us about it and we'll look to publish it. If you want to have your work featured on the site, we'd love to hear from you. Pssst, we also have an online store stocking some of the goodies we feature on the site.
If you're a media agency and want to use this platform to connect with our readership, then drop us a line and tell us about it. Oh yeah, and we do digital consulting for cool brands that want to reach the sort of demographic that visits this site.
