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Divine is made with cocoa bought from Kuapa Kokoo at the guaranteed minimum Fairtrade price of $1600 per tonne which protects the farmers from the volatility of the market. The cooperative receives an additional premium of $150 per tonne, which the cooperative invests in their own projects to improve the farmers' living, health and education standards, and farming productivity. A percentage of the price of Divine goes towards 'producer support and development', which Kuapa Kokoo spends on farmer education, and helping to maintain the values and vision of the cooperative as it grows. What makes the relationship even more special is that Kuapa co-owns Divine Chocolate Ltd. Kuapa Kokoo has two places on the Board so it can exercise its influence over how Divine is developed, and receive a significant share of the company profits. This ownership relationship also gives Kuapa Kokoo more status in the cocoa industry and a ‘seat at the table’. Less tangibly, but just as important, the Kuapa farmers are very proud that they own a company in the UK, and hearing about how well their business is doing is very motivating and exciting.
All Divine products except Divine White Chocolate (which includes whey products) are suitable for vegetarians. 70% Dark Chocolate, 70% Dark Chocolate with Mint Crisp and Divine Delights are possible choices for vegans, though we cannot guarantee these products are totally milk-free as milk is used elsewhere in the factory. Divine Dark Chocolate with Fruit and Nut contains butterfat which is a milk derivative and therefore not suitable for vegans. Divine is also made with natural cocoa butter and vanilla, lecithin from GM-free soya, and contains no vegetable fat substitutes.
Divine chocolate is made with the best of everything - top quality cocoa, natural cocoa butter and vanilla - and that is what makes it so good and delicious. Any attempt to reduce the fat or sugar or replace ingredients with synthetic alternatives would mean creating an inferior product that fewer people would enjoy. Our aim is to make the best chocolate containing only natural ingredients that most people can enjoy as a treat, as part of a balanced diet.
None of the Divine products can be guaranteed totally nut-free as the factory where they are made handles nuts.
Cocoa is very prone to diseases, which can quickly spread and wipe out huge areas of cocoa production, and in turn seriously endanger the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. As cocoa is vital to the Ghanaian economy, the Ghanaian cocoa board is being cautious about introducing organic production. Until enough tests have been done on organically approved pesticides in the Ghanaian context, introducing organic cocoa farming is considered high risk. If and when organic farming is considered safe, Kuapa Kokoo will undoubtedly consider its potential. Until then Divine is not certified organic - but it is worth noting that as pesticides are too expensive for most Kuapa farmers they rely largely on natural crop protection methods already.
It is also worth noting Divine is a natural product, made with natural cocoa butter and vanilla, lecithin from GM-free soya, and no vegetable fat substitutes. |