Last February, Valrhona Sélection organized ‘Odyssey of Taste’ to inspire professional and amateur chefs, in Chijmes (Singapore). In this event they showed the artisan, confectionery skills, and commitment to sustainability of their brands Valrhona, Norohy, Sosa, Adamance, and República del Cacao. All of these firms belong to a global community of companies that supports a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. They are also B Corp certified and promote practices such as ethical sourcing, complete traceability of all raw materials, and partnerships with local producers.

At ‘Odyssey of Taste’, Valrhona Sélection had the opportunity to showcase the latest launches in its product range. Thus, for example, Valrhona presented Vanuata 66% chocolates, from beans grown and sold by 197 families on the South Pacific island, and Hukambi 53% from Brazil, their first ombré couverture. Vanilla expert Norohy surprised attendees with two innovations: Tadoka, composed of vanilla concentrate, dried vanilla beans, and cocoa butter that can easily be melted or grated with any recipe, and Organic Arabica Coffee Bean Paste that imparts coffee flavor without a significant dip in aromatic intensity.

“It is an exciting time for us in Singapore and Asia as the appetite for and appreciation of fine chocolate and Western-style sweets has grown rapidly. Discerning consumers today seek chocolate of rarer origins with higher percentages of cocoa, and are increasingly mindful of responsible sourcing that protects the environment for the next generation of growers and chocolate lovers,” says Wenceslas Wedrychowski, General Manager of Valrhona Sélection Asia Pacific.