New premium 61% hot chocolate from Notes

New premium 61% hot chocolate from Notes

Notes Coffee Roasters has expanded its range for foodservice with the addition of a new, single origin, 61% hot chocolate from Columbia – further supporting caterers to tap into growing demand for premium h ot beverages, say the company.

The chocolate flakes, available in a 1kg bag with tasting notes of chocolate cookie, butterscotch and red berries, offer the same authentic sourcing and ethical standards that caterers and consumers have come to expect from Notes’ coffee.

Made with 61% unrefined panela and Cacao Fino de Aroma beans (Trinitario and Criollo) grown in the Santander, Tumaco, and Huila regions of Columbia, Notes says that it is using its strong relationships with growers to expand its range outside of coffee for the first time.

Ali Anderson, sales manager at Notes Coffee, said: “A premium hot chocolate used to mean marshmallows and whipped cream, but as with the coffee market, we’re seeing expectations rise from consumers in line with growing awareness. Demand is rising too – Kantar figures showed a resurgence in hot chocolate during Covid, with sales up 13% in the lockdown periods of 2020, and interest has not waned.

“We’re giving caterers the opportunity to meet that demand for higher quality chocolate drinks, with a premium product made from 61% cocoa beans that ticks the boxes for ethical, sustainable sourcing too.

“This includes working with the industry to support a long-term vision to improve wellbeing, protect the environment and increase the income of producers in Columbia, prioritising the protection of children, women and young people.

“We’re proud of the relationships we build with farmers across the world. In Columbia, they’ve implemented agroforestry systems to ensure cocoa serves as a reforestation crop and drives the protection of biodiversity. We also support efforts to ensure zero deforestation by promoting environmental awareness and good agricultural practices with small producers.”