Paradise Foods happy to lead downstream processing of cocoa

COCOA-based products are a huge opportunity for the Paradise Company and the country, Paradise Foods Ltd’s CEO Michael Shields says.
Speaking at a launch of the new Queen Emma Chocolate range in Port Moresby yesterday, Shields said: “I am delighted that the Paradise Company is leading the way with downstream processing of cocoa.
“In late 2017, we identified the need to further develop our chocolate business, especially in the manufacturing process to improve quality.
“Our vision to become a world-class manufacturer forced us to review our processes and invest time and resources into understanding our consumers and suppliers.
“We have now expanded our manufacturing capability to become a vertically- integrated producer of customised cocoa products.
“We achieved this by using the Dutch process or alkalised cocoa.
“This process lowers acidity, increases solubility, enhances colour and smoothens flavour, which will now allow our products to be used in food and beverage processing including ice cream, cocoa-based drinks and baking products.
“Our chocolate chips are already being used in our Laga Choc Chip Vanilla ice cream.
“We will soon supply liquid chocolate to coat ice cream sticks.
“The capability to now produce premium alkalised cocoa powders, butters and liquor will create new sales opportunities for us to sell to other food and beverage manufacturers in both PNG and internationally.”