11-04-2023 05:14 PM
The meeting was billed to start at 9 am but after my arrival by 8:54 am as the host I had to wait 9 minutes for Ada to arrive, subsequently, Ugo came followed by Zino and lastly, Bode, making it 5 local guides (Ogechi, Ada, Ugo, Zino and Bode)
We had the privilege of having the company’s CEO Uzo take us on the tour and taste meet up but that was after she treated us to coffee breakfast. She took us to the Cloakroom where we changed to Loom Craft aprons with matching white caps and white croc footwear. Ready to go, the first port of call was the store where the semi-processed raw materials like cocoa powder are stored. Then we moved to the factory where the Roasting, Sorting, Winnowing, Cracking, Blending, Refining, and hardening take place. As the company name goes Loom Craft the CEO Uzo displayed deep knowledge of an experienced chocolatier. She gave us the opportunity to prepare our own brand providing refined cocoa fluid that she called “cement” because that forms the base for other ingredients that give diverse types and brands of Chocolates. Having mixed our individual chocolate modes we handed them over to Mary the Chocolatier on duty to fridge for us.
Check out the photo album.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oVYH6TBEdDW5ZPye9
We went back to the Cloakroom to change our garments in preparation for the tasting session but not until Uzo took us to the warehouse outside where the bagged fermented raw cocoa seeds are kept after receiving them from suppliers mainly from Ondo, Osun and sometimes Abia state all in the southern parts of Nigeria. During the Chocolate tasting session Uzo took us on the fundamentals of the Chocolate tasting process emphasizing the dimensions of the tasing namely Aroma (how does it smell considering the spices, fruity, vegetal, floral etc.), Taste (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, umami?) what does it taste like) and Mouthfeel (checking the smoothness, hard, soft, fine, creamy, coarse, cool, warm, pungent, and melting) She gave us a “Chocolate Tasting Note Sheet” to document our experience and a Chocolate Sensory Wheel to guide our description. We tasted 10 brands of Chocolate.
The experience was more than mind-blowing never knew Chocolatiers existed in Nigeria with brands that can stand the test of time and territory. Small and Medium Enterprises like The Faith and Claire Company are worth encouraging. The beauty of this company is that no artificial preservatives or artificial flavour is used in their production. They source their input ingredients from other SME companies thereby promoting interdependence and promoting healthy ecosystem that allows efficient division of labour in the production chain.
Reactions from the Local guides
11-05-2023 03:32 AM - edited 11-05-2023 03:37 AM
@ogewuru this is one of the most exciting and engaging meet-up I have read on Connect. I love meet-ups that teach, excite, reveal and promote local businesses.
I planted a few cocoa trees in my villa, we just pluck and lick them when ripe. How can I get good seeds that may be useful to the company? Does she have a plan to have a branch near the sources?
Honestly, I didn't know we have such a business making chocolate in Abuja and we should continue to patronize her. Probably invite to a Local Guides event. Is Uzo a Local Guide? How does she use Google Maps to promote her business? I want to know and we'd love to support her on Maps.
I will love to visit the chocolate factory next time I visit Abuja.
Thanks to all the attendees. You guys rock in Aso Rock!!!
Pls, tag Bode and Ugo here.
11-05-2023 04:23 AM
Dear @ogewuru
Kudos to the entire team and Thank you all for such an extraordinary and enlightening experience at the Loom Craft chocolate factory. A massive appreciation to our fantastic host.
Best Regards
Kamal
11-05-2023 08:50 AM
@ogewuru maravilloso se ve el Recap 😊 y que rico se ve el chocolate saludos 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
11-05-2023 01:09 PM
Thank you my friend. I must confess it was an experience to relish and share
11-05-2023 04:02 PM
A meaningful and flavorful meet-up and an inspiring detailed description, @ogewuru ! The wheel is interesting to use.
Before full-scale invasion, I used to buy handmade chocolate candies from a woman in Kyiv. She created unique exquisite flavors. Sometimes it was too hard to guess the ingredients. Some were very uncommon: tomatoes, basilico, cardamon, or even garlic. Each candy in every box was a surprise that boosted one's taste buds and imagination. And the design was artistic. Once tasting, one will never perceive mass market sweets the same way.
11-06-2023 07:00 AM
11-06-2023 10:13 AM
@YuliiaZa Honestly I was surprised to see that a lot of options exist when it comes to flavour
11-06-2023 11:45 AM
Hello @ogewuru
This is a great meet-up and thank you for tagging me. The bad thing about it is that I missed it Lol
I love the sight of the chocolate. It only left me mouth watering and wishing. I like the sound of the strawberry lemon grass flavour. I love strawberry flavours. It's good to see prominent local guides members in the photo. Of course I see a one time guiding star too !!!
When is the next one? Please include me,wait till I return to Abuja.
Happy guiding
Cheers
Liberia, Love of Liberty brought us here
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Selected Connect posts: My local guide lamp | Nigerian Digital History Museum | West-African dishes | Gwarimpa/Abuja Food Crawl | My first post on Connect | I'm a community builder |Find all my Connect posts here