Founded 2009 | ||
Mindo chocolate makers
Mindo Chocolate Makers is a small batch bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Dexter, Michigan. The company was founded in 2009 by Barbara Wilson and Joseph Meza. Mindo Chocolate Makers is named for the town of Mindo, Ecuador where Joe and Barbara own and operate a small hostel and cafe named El Quetzal de Mindo.
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Production process
Mindo Chocolate Makers use Ecuadorian Nacional variety cacao beans for the production of their chocolate. The beans are grown by a small cooperative of cacao farmers near Mindo, Ecuador. All of the plants are grown in small lots, hand harvested, and fermented. The beans are dried, roasted, and winnowed in Ecuador then sent to the chocolate making studio in Dexter, Michigan.
The chocolate is hand-crafted in small batches throughout the conching, tempering, and moulding process.
Products
Mindo Chocolate Makers produce minimally processed craft chocolate products such as: bars, cocoa powder, baking chocolate, Mexican-style chocolate, cocoa butter. They also provide unprocessed cocoa beans and cocoa nibs. In late 2012 they introduced Miel de Cacao, a syrup or Saba, made from cocoa fruit.
Awards and recognition
Mindo Chocolate Makers were finalists in the chocolate category for the 2011 Good Food Awards.
Mindo Chocolate Makers were finalists in the chocolate category for the 2013 Good Food Awards.