WHERE OUR INGREDIENTS BEGIN
Every ingredient has a story. Our sourcing stories take you back to the origin, showing why where it comes from matters and what organic truly means. From harvest methods to the people behind the crops, we open a window into the entire organic chain. These short stories reveal not only where our ingredients come from, but also how they are grown, cared for, and brought to you.
THE COCOA CONNECTION
Cocoa trees grow best in the shade of tropical rainforests, including those in the Dominican Republic and Peru where we source our cocoa from. Their delicate flowers are pollinated by tiny midges, which are essential for the trees to bear fruit. The cocoa pods can weigh up to a pound and contain 20 to 60 beans nestled in sweet, fruity pulp.
After careful hand-harvesting, the pods are opened and the husks returned to the soil as natural fertiliser. The beans are then fermented and sun-dried, a slow process that develops the distinctive flavour and colour of cocoa and chocolate.
Organic farming helps protect these fragile ecosystems, supporting insects, soil life, and farming communities - while ensuring cocoa is produced in harmony with nature.
FUTURE-PROOF FARMING
Our Italian rice supplier Giuseppe, the youngest in a family of farmers, combines tradition with science. On his organic fields he works with beneficial bacteria, algae, and fungi that feed the plants while blocking harmful microorganisms such as rice blast. Recently, he introduced drip irrigation with smart sensors, reducing water use by up to 80% compared to traditional methods.
Giuseppe believes organic farming can feed the world. “Yes, it can. With the right technology, yields can match conventional farming.” To prove this, he is developing a method where rice plants first grow in a nursery until strong enough to be transplanted into the fields.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Through long-term collaboration with our partner in Uganda, we are helping to train local farmers in sustainable practices, from preparing organic fertilizers to caring for new shea and sesame trees. With tools like oxen for ploughing and practical workshops, farmers are improving soil health, managing weeds naturally, and increasing their yields by 30-70%.
The farmers are expanding their work, investing in tools, and generating extra income for their households. Yet there is still work to do. Access to equipment, scaling up training to reach more farmers, and improving storage and processing practices are areas where we aim to make further progress. We support farmers with knowledge and access to the European market, but building truly sustainable livelihoods takes time, persistence, and ongoing collaboration.
FROM FIELD TO FLAKE
In the fertile fields of Finland, our suppliers' farmers cultivate an ecosystem where every practice contributes to the well-being of the land and its biodiversity. Along the borders of the cereal fields, diverse mixtures of flowering plants are sown to create vital pollinator strips. These strips attract bees and butterflies while promoting a harmonious ecosystem balance.
When it comes to managing soil health, catch crops like white clover are used. These crops not only capture carbon and prevent erosion but also enrich the soil with organic matter as they decay. That is what we call working together with nature.
HARVESTING LIQUID GOLD
Harvesting begins only under the right conditions: freezing nights and mild days, as only then the sap can start to flow. Once it does, a spile is gently inserted into the tree - a technique carried out with care and precision - guiding the clear maple sap through a network of tubes. The collected sap is slowly heated, allowing water to evaporate and leaving behind the golden syrup cherished worldwide. Its rich, robust flavour and naturally concentrated sugars make it a versatile ingredient, whether drizzled over pancakes, stirred into drinks, or used in baking, connecting us directly to the forests and traditions of Canada.
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