Koa claims a global first in creating cocoa-based shots

German-based start-up Koa has claimed a global first in devising shot drinks based on cocoa pulp from key West African harvests, writes Neill Barston.

As the business noted, with traditional cocoa crops facing major challenges of climate change, disease and pressures within the chocolate market, the sector has turned its attention to alternative revenue streams/

Moreover, as Koa – which also operates a sister operation jointly in Switzerland and Ghana focused on chocolate production, which recently included a joint-venture launch with Turkish based confectionery group Altinmarka based upon upcycled cocoa fruit.

As the business noted, for centuries, the industry has only been interested in the cocoa bean, leaving about three-quarters of the cocoa fruit unused. The white pulp surrounding the cocoa beans has simply been ignored, leading to the loss of approximately five million tons annually. This roughly equates to the weight of 17 times the Cologne Cathedral.

The Koa team at this year’s ProSweets with its chocolate offerings. Pic: Neill Barston

In response, Koa has worked with Ghanaian smallholder cocoa farmers to devise a globally unique processing method that also utilises the fruit pulp. It has been developed with a tropical, fresh taste and does not taste anything like chocolate. It is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Following on from this breakthrough, Koa is now launching the world’s first Cocoa Fruit Shots based on this ingredient. The shots not only have a unique taste but are also made with 100% natural ingredients and offer a positive impact on people and the environment.

The cocoa fruit forms the basis of three shots: KOA Pure: Cocoafruit, KOA Boost: Ginger,.and KOA Energize: Coldbrew. All three are vegan, contain no added sugar, and one shot supplies the daily requirement of Vitamin C.

As the business explained, farmers who partner with Koa receive a second income through the utilisation of the cocoa fruit pulp. As a result, these agricultural workers now reportedly earn nearly twice as much of an additional premium as with Fairtrade and over six times more than with Rainforest Alliance, according to its analysis.

Furthermore, the company has established a 100% transparent supply chain. All payments to the cocoa farmers are verified using blockchain technology and are accessible to all consumers. While Koa’s approach is not the sole
solution to the cocoa crisis, the additional income for the smallholder farmers in Ghana is making a real difference: According to an external study, “96% of farmers working with Koa say their lives have improved [due to the additional income], and 1 in 3 even call it life-changing”.

pic: Koa

Notably, the  Cocoa Fruit Shots will be presented to the public for the first time at Anuga, the world’s largest food trade fair, which takes place from October 4–8 in Cologne. The shots are making waves even prior to the event, with the series being made part of the  “Anuga Taste Innovation Show”.

Anian Schreiber, CEO and Co-Founder of Koa, states, “In a world full of things we cannot influence, it is rare to discover something with such a massive impact as the cocoa fruit. It is one of those simple things within our control that has the potential to change the world”.

“For the cocoa industry, Koa’s approach offers a forward-looking path out of the crisis. Even if cocoa prices appear to right now have slightly stabilised, the last few years show just how vulnerable the foundation of the chocolate industry is. The industry will be compelled to seek new avenues. Koa’s
technology and products could be important parts of the solution.”