Monday, January 29, 2007

Chocolate - Tava Roasted Cocoa Nibs

Cocoa Nibs are one of those things you read about but never get around to finding, at least that's the case here in Australia. So when Emily from Chocolate in Context posted about a local company offering cocoa beans and nibs I just had to go ahead and get some.

roasted nibs

Tava sources their cocoa from Vanuatu and I highly recommend visiting their website and reading about the philosophy behind their endeavours rather than just having me waffle on about them. You'll also note that sell whole cocoa beans and unroasted cocoa nibs along with their own dark chocolate.

From the picture, you can probably see that they look quite like cracked coffee beans. In fact, I would say that in texture they are very similar. It's in the taste that they differ - a strong pure chocolate flavour. If you've eaten those chocolate coated coffee beans you'll know what I mean.

My first experiment with them as been the Mocha Cupcakes and I was most impressed about how they tasted and how they behaved. What I loved most is that unlike chocolate buds, they don't melt, they retrain their integrity but as I noted in the cupcake post, they do lose their powdery characteristics and become smoother. It's just so interesting to have these crunchy hits of chocolate. I certainly can see myself using them in the future.

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8 comments

  1. I'm pretty sure that Monsieur Truffe (at the Prahran Markets) sells cocoa nibs, along with those irresistable truffles. I haven't bought them yet, but your cupcakes have revitalised my interest!

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  2. I just happened to notice this morning that The Essential Ingredient at Prahran Market now sells Callebaut Cocoa Nibs (product of Belgium) - it always happens that when you aren't looking, you find things! I'll check out Mr Truffle for the nibs.

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  3. i couldn't get the nibs but have a pack of cocoa beans that i will need to roast.

    btw, I love the new look of your blog, especially the roundup of victorian events! I will be coming here to get updates from now on :)

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  4. Haalo,

    I think I've already written this on the other post - I've never had cocoa nibs.

    I'll try to find them , I'm so curious!!!

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  5. awesome revamp! Have a good week ;)

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  6. Thanks Cin - glad you like the new feature! I'm looking at the cocoa beans but I'm not quite sure what to do with them yet ;)

    Hi Patricia - I hope you find some!

    Thanks Swee - glad you like the changes!

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  7. Monsieur truffe here... Just a word to let you know that i have only raw beans at the moment but soon will have different roasted ones (light to dark) and as well nibs, pure cocoa mass and cocoa butter :)
    Happy cooking!

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  8. Hi Monsieur Truffe - how very nice of you to post here. That's great news about the new products - I look forward to trying them out!

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