Thursday's Fizz Feast Taster - Pacari Chocolate

Each week on a Tuesday and a Thursday in the run up to Fizz Feast we’re focusing on one of our fabulous exhibitors to give you a flavour of the treats in store at Fizz Feast on Saturday 17 November. Today’s Fizz Feast Taster features the wonderful Pacari Chocolate – also one of our fabulous masterclasses. I first met Edinburgh-based Juan Santelices at Foodies Festival last summer and we had fun pairing some Greyfriars English Sparkling Wine (another Fizz Feast exhibitor) with a selection of Pacari. We did a similar presentation at Foodies Christmas with Zonin (also coming back to Fizz Feast) and then at a Wine Workshop earlier this year. Juan has an amazing ability to capture his audience. Seeing an 100 people savouring a pea-sized piece of chocolate for as long as five minutes is quite a sight to behold. A far cry from many people’s instinct to munch a chunk of chocolate in seconds and instantly reach for the next. There’s clearly much to celebrate and appreciate about Pacari. This Ecuadorian Fair Trade company is renowned throughout South America and is fast becoming hugely popular over here. Recommended as one of the Best Buys by Ethical Consumer Magazine and placed 3rd (coming ½ a point behind the winner) amongst 99 other chocolates available in the UK is just one of their recent accolades. Juan has plenty to tell about Pacari which supports 3,500 families in Ecuador. Many chocolate producers are proud to state they are made from Bean to Bar. Whilst it sounds great, this sadly translates as the beans normally being exported to the UK where the chocolate is produced, thus resulting in just 7% of the wealth staying in the original country. Pacari is proud to be Tree to Bar meaning that 50% of the wealth stays in Ecuador and contributes to supporting its development. Pacari has a huge range available including fruit, herb and spice chocolate bars, raw chocolate, single origin chocolate, cacao beans (great nibbles to keep in the desk drawer!), chocolate powder and fruit covered chocolate. It's all organic and makes great stocking presents too. The ultimate gift for the chocolate lover has to be the regular delivery of chocolate to your door. Be sure to come and speak to Juan at Fizz Feast and if you’re quick there might still be spaces in the Pacari & Fizz Pairing Masterclass which we’re holding during the second session at Fizz Feast.

Fizz Feast is a true Celebration of Sparkling Wine & Artisan Food being held on Saturday 17 November at The Edinburgh Academy on Henderson Row. There are two sessions to choose from 12-3pm and 4-7pm.Tickets are available from £22.50 and Masterclasses are from a modest £5. Find out more.