Entry: Bill Guyton
Greetings from Port of Spain, Trinidad. I am here today attending a conference. Tomorrow I plan to visit the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU) to see some of the research supported by the World Cocoa Foundation on breeding trees resistent to fungal diseases (more details to follow).
At the conference today, I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Isabel Brash, a young entrepreneur who is producing Cocobel single origin chocolates. Her story is an interesting one. Isabel began exploring bean to bar through www.chocolatealchemy.com and did the chocolate manufacturing/marketing professional chocolatier course through www.ecolechocolat.com.
Her brother owns a 45 acre cocoa and coffee farm, formally part of Queensland Estate, which is now called Rancho Quemado. The family farm, along with Isabel's marketing talents, provided the opportunity to produce "bean to bar" chocolate and have already planted 3000 trees on the estate early this year.
Cocobel was officially formed last week. A local roaster and grinder in Trinidad helped process the cocoa from the family farm so that Isabel could test different recipes in her own kitchen. I sampled the chocolate she had which had an excellent taste.
The goal of the company is to plant more than 5,000 new cocoa seedlings on the farm in 2009, while exploring the export market for single origin bars from Trinidad.
We wish Isabel, her family and colleagues all the best on this new venture and hope she will keep us updated on Cocobel's progress. Her email is cocobelchocolates@yahoo.com. A website is being developed.
Comments (8)
Congratulations Isabel! Cocobel! To you and your associates. What a beautiful spread! Hard work and dedication do pay off for the Faithful. A true inspiration. Please, do keep up the Good work and all the best in all your efforts.
Posted by Christian Benjamin | March 26, 2009 5:01 PM
Posted on March 26, 2009 17:01
Isabel:
Hope you aRE ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS.... I was quite excited to read what has been happening with Cocoa thes days.Having spent many childhood vacations on a Cocoa Estate....Also, I am glad to know that the time has come for us(YOU) to utilize our resources. I presume your website is not yet up and running?? I am interested in finding out about your products, pricing etc...It would be so nice to say " OH..this is from my home" I will be going to T'dad after the Summit and hope to return to my residence towards the end of May......WHAT A FINE GIFT TO TAKE BACK***
(By the way are you one the DeSouza/Sheppard/Brash Clan????my former class mates....)Again, congratulations and my very best wishes for a VERY Successful Venture.....Margaret
Posted by Bernard Margaret | April 2, 2009 2:33 PM
Posted on April 2, 2009 14:33
This is great to see that the chocolate industry has a place in Trinidad. My great-grandfather would be proud and this is encouragement to continue the Cocoa tradition.
Posted by Renee Ferreira Dookwah | June 25, 2009 9:29 AM
Posted on June 25, 2009 09:29
Great job Isabel, so talented.. I love that you are supporting the local community, you know if I was there I would be eating up all your chocolates. Miss you and see you soon....
Posted by Tamara | July 3, 2009 5:28 PM
Posted on July 3, 2009 17:28
My husband just came home with these chocolates and I ate three!!! I would love to get more. Are they available retail? I love you packaging.
Posted by Paula Francis-Lau | September 30, 2010 9:11 PM
Posted on September 30, 2010 21:11
Hello Isabela,I enjoyed cocobel chocolate, from UPMARKET EVENT,I was very impress by taste and presentation package, done in our Beautiful Trinidad.
Posted by jennie rogers | October 15, 2010 3:09 PM
Posted on October 15, 2010 15:09
These looks delicious! It's a shame I'm miles away. Do you export?
Posted by Caitlin at Link building Services | December 3, 2010 6:49 AM
Posted on December 3, 2010 06:49
Where do obtain the resoures needed to make chocolate
Posted by Vennessa Charless | January 25, 2011 10:48 AM
Posted on January 25, 2011 10:48