The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is an inter-governmental organization established in 1973 under the auspices of the United Nations and operating within the framework of successive International Cocoa Agreements.
"Fine flavour cocoa is cocoa characterized by a complex sensory profile, composed of well-balanced basic attributes with aromatic and flavour notes; the complementary attributes can be clearly perceived and identified in the expression of its aromas and flavours; it results from the interaction between (a) a particular genetic composition, (b) favourable growing conditions in a given environment/terroir, (c) specific plantation management techniques, (d) specific harvesting and post-harvest practices and (e) stable chemical and physical composition, and integrity of the bean."
DefinitionThe Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) is the only organization focused 100% on supporting fine chocolate professionals.
"Chocolate is a food made with roasted and refined cacao beans with sugar and other ingredients. In all cases, a chocolate must contain the fat of the cacao, known as cacao butter. For example, if it contains cacao powder, but no cacao butter, it should not be called chocolate but chocolate flavored. If it only contains cacao mass, but no sugar, it should be called 100% cacao rather than chocolate. There are plenty of types of chocolate and it can be solid or liquid, but all of them share a common principle: they must contain the fat of the cacao bean."
Definition