Featured image for Honest Artisan Chocolate

Honest Artisan Chocolate

by Jessica Sanchez on 05/08/2013 | 3 Minute Read

Editorial photograph

Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk started Honest Artisan Chocolate with a bit of experimentation with raw cacao.

Anthony made a few simple chocolates from raw cacao powder as a healthy treat for himself and his friends. When they were sold out in a matter of seconds with demands for more, he knew he was into something great. Over the next few months he taught himself more about the art and science of chocolate making, an endeavour that eventually developed into Honest Artisan Chocolate

Meanwhile, Michael was also experimenting with raw chocolate in London, with similar results, and so on his return to Cape Town, when the opportunity came to join Anthony on his chocolate adventure, the decision wasn’t all that difficult. The attraction was the diversity of making chocolate and being involved in something that continually changes, something both fun and rewarding.

 

 

"Honest Artisan Chocolate is a small artisanal chocolate company based in Cape Town, South Africa. All our chocolate is hand crafted in small batches using traditional, old school chocolate making methods, including hand tempering the chocolate on a granite slab tabletop and hand dipping each chocolate bonbon. The bonbons are then boxed up and the slabs individually wrapped using eco friendly paper.

Most chocolate is made from roasted cacao, however we use organic, raw cacao, which is higher in antioxidants and therefore even better for you than regular dark chocolate. The cacao is ethically sourced from Ecuador. There are also no preservatives, additives or emulsifiers in our chocolate and it is free of dairy and processed sugar (instead of sugar we use Agave Nectar which has a very low GI). We believe in keeping things hand-crafted, using quality organically produced ingredients and making a pure chocolate that has a deliciously distinct feel and taste."

via: Honest Artisan Chocolate

 

 

Jean de Wet is a Cape Town based artist and illustrator, “Inspired by nature and the general strangeness of the universe and its fabrications”. She created the packaging for the 72% with Nibs, pure raw organic cacao and agave with pieces of crushed cacao beans (called nibs) sprinkled onto the slab.

 

Editorial photograph

 

Illustrating the wonders of nature, Marsi is also a Cape Town based artist – her philosophy, “draw, paint, sculpt!” She worked on the 72% with Coffee packaging – Pure raw organic cacao and agave with cracked organic coffee beans sprinkled on the back.

 

Editorial photograph

Editorial photograph

 

Toby Newsome did the artwork for the 72% with Kalahari Desert Salt – Pure raw organic cacao and agave with Onyx Kalahari Desert salt. "All about illustration, animation and design, he works both locally and internationally."

 

Editorial photograph

 

Represented by Whatiftheworld Gallery, Michael Taylor works primarily in the mediums of painting and drawing – exploring notions around narrative art. 88% – Pure raw organic cacao and agave, the darker side of chocolate... "Don’t be afraid of the dark."

 

Editorial photograph

 

Georgina Gratrix did the artwork for the 72% with Orange: pure unroasted organic cacao and agave with South African Sweet Orange Oil. Cape Town-based, Georgina’s work is described as “Part mocking, part criticism, part play, her work offers an inverted visual take on the world. Instilled with her youthful energy and personal experience, her work is refreshing, entertaining and complex”.

Editorial photographEditorial photographEditorial photograph