MIA ethical brand gains key Great Taste Award for its dark chocolate drops
Celebrations were in order for ethical chocolate brand MIA, (Made In Africa), after gaining a coveted 2-star 2020 Great Taste Award for its single origin 65% dark chocolate drops, reports Neill Barston
As the company, which has offices in London, and produces its ranges directly in Madagascar, noted, just 10% of this year’s entries were recognised with such an accolade.
The 2020 Great Taste Awards received 12,777 submissions from 106 different countries and were judged by 144 of the most discerning palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs, buyers, retailers and producers, as well as food writers and journalists.
MIA chocolate drops were described by the judges to have, “a lovely fruity aroma” and “…the most luxurious melt, which is just divine. The flavour is dark with a beguiling fruitiness that lasts and lasts.”
As previously reported by Confectionery Production, the company has put in place a number of community engagement schemes in Madagascar, including a recently launched scheme to assist schooling for girls living in the island nation.
MIA co-founder Brett Beach felt the award underlined the fact that chocolate manufactured in African regions is fully capable of matching other areas of the globe in terms of standards achieved.
He said: “Since cocoa was introduced African in the 1900s, more than 99% of the crop has left the continent as a raw ingredient to help build the great reputations of chocolate makers in Belgium, France and other Northern Hemisphere countries. These Great Taste Awards are proof that African makers can compete on quality and have a place next to the luxury chocolates of the world.
“The MIA brand promise is to deliver delicious chocolate while creating a positive impact across social, economic and environmental development pillars. It’s great to see this come to fruition thanks to a lot of hard work with the cocoa farmers and the chocolate makers.”
The company’s ranges are crafted from bean-to-bar in Madagascar, a country where 100% of the cocoa is classified as fine flavour by the International Cocoa Organization. Significantly, the primarily Trinitario and Criollo cocoa genetics are renowned for natural notes of red fruit and a smooth taste profile. MIA 65% Dark Chocolate Drops are available online in the UK.
