MIA extends its ethical chocolate series with vegan cashew ginger spice release

As part of a key segment focus, bean-to-bar ethical chocolate company MIA (Made In Africa), has extended its series with a Cashew Ginger Spice 75% dark chocolate within its vegan range, writes Neill Barston.

The new flavour is part of a new 3-bar Gift Pack (225g) and also available as a standalone item with the sustainably focused business that has been established within Madagascar to enable maximum benefit to local producers.

Confectionery Production recently spoke exclusively with co-founder Brett Beach in a video interview about its ethical sourcing approach and reflection on key challenges facing the industry, with the company noting a sustained trend within the vegan movement, as consumers in the UK and around the world increasingly turn to plant-based alternatives.

In addition to the new Cashew Ginger Spice flavour (which is available in a 75g bar), the Gift Pack features two Great Taste Award winners, the 75% Dark Chocolate and the Baobab & Salted Nibs 65% dark chocolate.  All of the bars are crafted with fine flavour cocoa, a classification awarded to the top 10% of cocoa by the International Cocoa Organisation.

According to Brett Beach, who helped create the Cashew Ginger Spice, “The people of Madagascar don’t just grow fine flavour cocoa. The cashews and ginger are also delicious. We purposefully ground roasted cashews with the cocoa beans to give the chocolate a softer texture and moreish quality. The smoothness of the chocolate is contrasted by chewy ginger pastilles that impart a sweet, peppery finish. We think MIA fans will love the new flavour!”

MIA’s entire range of chocolates is made from bean-to-bar in Madagascar as part of the company’s commitment to create more added-value and skilled jobs on the African continent that grows 70% of the world’s cocoa.

As the business noted, it now creates four times more value in Madagascar than the export of raw cocoa. MIA partners Proudly Made in Africa for supply chain verification and impact measurement.

Proudly Made in Africa Director Vikki Brennan commented: “Proudly Made in Africa works with companies to bring impactful African products to the market, so we’re also thrilled to see a new launch. From the cocoa to the sugar to the cashews and ginger, it’s great to see that MIA has utilised so many locally available ingredients for this bar, benefitting farmers on the one hand and the printers, box manufacturer and chocolate making team on the other. It’s proof that great products can be made in Africa, creating meaningful social impact and delicious flavours at once.”

Designed for giving occasions throughout the year, the 3-bar Gift Pack is part of MIA’s permanent range. Both new products are currently available online and from select retailers in Europe.

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