chocolate

Chocolate brand Choco Togo has started selling heat-resistant fair trade chocolate in Togo.

“It doesn’t melt up to 35 degrees [Celsius],” said Komi Agbokou, who promotes the brand.

Togo produces about 10,000 tonnes of cocoa beans every year, but to differentiate themselves from West African neighbours Ghana and Ivory Coast, Togo producers have worked to produce something new.

The 80g bar is made solely from locally grown cocoa beans. Containing between 60% and 100% cocoa, the bar has a rough texture making it “perfect” for households without fridges and market stalls, said Agbokou.

Previous attempts at heat-resistant chocolate have been made by Cadbury and Barry Callebaut. The latter began selling its product, which it claims can withstand temperatures up to 38°C, in December.

CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique told the Financial Times the move could “fundamentally change the game.”