Review of The Chocolate Life - Online Social Network

Have an idea in mind and need some help executing it? Want to learn more about a chocolate making technique? If you don't have anybody to ask, there are several online chocolate forums and communities where you can post questions and get others to answer. One of the up and coming social networks that you should check out is The Chocolate Life.

The Chocolate Life is a relatively new community for "chocophiles, and aspiring chocophiles". Started by Clay Gordon approximately a year ago, the chocolate community has grown to over 700 members. Clay Gordon is the author of Discover Chocolate: The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Tasting, and Enjoying Fine Chocolate, a book focusing on chocolate appreciation. He has been researching chocolate since 1994 and has worked as a professional chocolate critic since 2001. He has appeared on radio and TV, and has written/contributed articles to major newspapers and magazines. Clay also plan eco-adventures and tours for chocolate lovers who want to know even more about chocolate.

The site is social networked based and has a budding forum that I highly recommend. I have posed questions that were answered by Clay very promptly. Where he did not know the answer, he went above and beyond to find the answer for me.

Some of the things you will find at the site besides the forum are a chocolate events calander, member photos, and group discussions. There are currently four groups: Startup Central; NerdZone; HomeBrew Chocolate; and The Chocolate Swap. Startup Central is for people who want information about getting into the chocolate business. NerdZone is all about cacao and chocolate chemistry. HomeBrew Chocolate is for those who make chocolate at home(actually make chocolate, as opposed to just working with chocolate). Lastly, The Chocolate Swap is for members who want to trade chocoaltes.

In addition to offering information, home brewers can also buy cocoa beans from Clay. His offerings and prices (10 lbs) are:

Origin: Ecuador
Ecuadorian Nacional cocoa beans. $90.00.
Ecuadorian CCN-51 cocoa beans $85.00.

Origin: Venezuela
Venezuelan Carenero cocoa beans $90.00.
Venezuelan Rio Caribe cocoa beans $90.00.
Venezuelan Sur del Lago cocoa beans $87.50.
Venezuelan Tucani cocoa beans $90.00.

Origin: Dominican Republic
Organic Hispaniola-grade beans from the Dominican Republic $90.00.
Hispaniola-grade beans from the Dominican Republic $85.00.
Sanchez-grade beans from the Dominican Republic $82.50.

Other Origins
Nicaraguan cocoa beans $85.00.
Cocoa beans from Papua New Guinea $85.00.
Cocoa beans from Ghana $85.00.
Cocoa beans from the Ivory Coast $82.50.
Organic Panamanian cocoa beans $85.00.
Organic cocoa beans from Madagascar's Sambirano Valley $100.00.

Specialty Beans: Organic
Organic Hispaniola-grade beans from the Dominican Republic $90.00.
Organic Panamanian cocoa beans $85.00.
Organic cocoa beans from Madagascar's Sambirano Valley $100.00.

All and all, I think this is a great site that I would highly recommend you visit. I wish good things for Clay as I know he has worked very hard to put this community together.

NCA Chocolate Council

National Confectioner’s Association Names Chocolate Council; Will Meet Sept. 18 In Washington, D.C.

VendingMarket News
09/09/2008

The members of National Confectioner’s Association (NCA)’s Chocolate Council were announced, including 16 representatives from chocolate using and processing companies. The following members were named to the council:

Dennis Whalen, ADM Cocoa; Jerry Hagedorn, Barry Callebaut; Pierson E. Clair, Brown & Haley; David Taiclet, Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc.; Steve Genzoli, Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.; Neil Turpin, Green and Black’s USA, Inc.; Gary W. Guittard, Guittard Chocolate Co.; Mary Myers, Mars Snackfood U.S.; Louise Hilsen, Nestle USA, Inc.; Daniel Trott, Russell Stover Candies, Inc.; Neil Campbell, Seattle Chocolate Co.; Peter Blommer, The Blommer Chocolate Co.; Dan Azzara, The Hershey Co.; Patrick Huffman, The Warrell Corp.; Edmond Opler, World’s Finest Chocolate, Inc.; Patrick Zachary, Zachary Confections, Inc.; Larry Graham, National Confectioners Association; Susan Smith, National Confectioners Association; Bill Guyton, World Cocoa Foundation, ex-officio.

The Chocolate Council will meet Sept. 18, in Washington, D.C. during NCA’s Washington Forum. The responsibilities of the Chocolate Council are to work with the NCA Communications, Scientific and Regulatory and Government Affairs Committees to ensure the proper focus and direction within NCA on promoting and protecting the chocolate segment. The Council also will provide direction to NCA on matters involving the global cocoa supply chain.

2008 All Candy Expo

It's that time of the year again! Set your calendars for the 2008 All Candy Expo held May 20 - 22, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The All Candy Expo is the largest confectionery, cookie, and snack show in the Americas. Products featured at the show include: chocolate, candy, gum, salty snacks, cookies, biscuits, popcorn, granola bars, breakfast snacks, nutrition bars, meat snacks, fruit snacks, and nuts. There are supposed to be more than 500 exhibitors at the show.

At the show you can learn about new retail merchandising displays, new products, and confectionery industry trends. Find and taste new gourmet products from around world, including natural and organic confections and snacks. Jacque Torres has been added as the featured speaker for the Wednesday educational lunch session.

Some of the sessions and topics that will be discussed are:

• Is organic chocolate a "can't miss opportunity"?
• Chocolate chefs from around the world.
• How has seasonal merchandising changed and why?
• Mistakes to avoid in merchandising confectionery and snacks.
• "Green" packaging.
• New chocolate and cocoa product trends.

For more information about the show, including where to stay and what companies will be there, go to the official website of the 2008 All Candy Expo.