Tracing its history back to the Amazon, the Amelonado cacao flourishes in the perfect conditions of the exotic Solomon Islands. With its nutrient rich soil and tropical climate, the cacao growers also produce the versatile Trinitario variety, producing cacao with the lively flavour and distinctive aroma unlike anything else.
Q: What is the brand story?
A: The story begins in the unspoilt environment of the Solomon Islands in 2006 when C-Corp Ltd established its cocoa business on the island of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. By 2014, C-Corp had become a totally integrated cocoa producer, processor and exporter working directly with a network of cacao growers who sustainably produce premium quality, naturally organic cocoa beans. In March 2013 C-Corp N.Z Ltd built a custom-made chocolate factory in Mount Maunganui through which we oversee the entire supply chain of production – from grading and selecting the cacao beans in the Solomon Islands to roasting and crafting the artisan Solomons Gold chocolate bars and cacao nibs in a bespoke M.P.I certified factory.
Q: What is the current product range and variants and what makes these products stand out in the market?
A: The current product range is six 55g Solomons Gold 70 percent cacao, dairy, nut, gluten, soy and cane sugar free bars – Smooth Dark (winner of a silver medal at the London Academy of Chocolate 2017), Dark Mint, Dark Berry (winner of Bronze medal New Zealand Chocolate awards 2017), Dark caramel, Dark Nib (75 percent cacao) and Dark Orange (winner of Bronze medal New Zealand chocolate awards 2017). Solomon’s Gold also produces three sizes of cacao nibs and chocolate kibble (chips) – all gluten, nut, dairy, and soy free with an organic coconut sap and organic cane sugar. The factory is Kosher certified and free of nuts, dairy, soy and gluten – it’s what they don’t put in our chocolate that makes it special.
Q: What is innovative or unique about the product?
A: The chocolate is single origin and made from two ingredients – cacao and coconut sap sugar. The kibble can be made from organic cane sugar if requested.
Q: Who is the consumer and what benefit does the product bring them?
A: The consumer is anyone who loves the real thing – the chocolate was tested by Massey University and the 100 percent cacao was found to have nine times more antioxidants than spinach. Solomon’s Gold chocolate is made from 70 percent of this cacao. This means that anyone who is gluten or dairy or nut intolerant can eat our chocolate.
Q: What consumer trend does the product support?
A: The chocolate is cane sugar free – we use coconut sap sugar which has a low GI. These days people want to know what they are eating and consumers can actually read the ingredients list on the back of the chocolate bars! The consumer trend is basically leaning towards making people aware that there is a healthy, tasty, chocolate that is actually good for you and ticks all the boxes.
For more information please contact hello@solomonsgold.co.nz or call +64 07 574 3022
