Discovering the potential of barista-grade drinking chocolate at World of Coffee with Ander.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of ander
As I was walking the halls of World of Coffee Athens last week, I came across a stand that was brewing ground cacao beans in a V60. It was the first time I’d seen such a thing, and I quickly wondered what this was all about.
The passionate people behind Ander, a Belgian company, are aiming to usher in a new era of specialty cacao. Based in the suburbs of Belgium, Ander is a roaster of cacao beans and the creator of barista-quality cacao beverages that match the level of quality and attention found in specialty coffee. I immediately wanted to know more, so I sat down with co-founder Frederik to hear their story.
Filter Cacao and Barista-Grade Drinking Chocolate
Ander was founded by two brothers, Tom and Frederik Depoorter. They asked themselves why high-quality cacao beans were not consumed as a beverage like coffee. Through research into the nuances and similarities between coffee and cacao beans, Frederik and Tom discovered that cacao and coffee have many similarities: the impact of climate, terroir, and altitude, as well as flavor profiles and aromas. Their product development encompassed exploring flavor profiles through fermentation and drying techniques.
“We’re looking back at two difficult years of product development to research the possibilities, understand the DNA of the cacao bean, evaluate roast and extraction profiles, and grind classifications. And ended up creating the world’s first filter cacao and barista-grade drinking chocolate,” Frederik says.
Ander is rethinking the ways cacao beans can be experienced. They’re inspired by specialty-coffee roasters and baristas focusing on clean, transparent beverages that add value through origin storytelling and potential impact at origin. Ander is committed to light roasting, with cacao beans as their number-one ingredient.
Ander Creates Quality Flavors with Light Roasts
Like many specialty-coffee roasters, the team at Ander favors light roasts. They select their quality cacao beans with a befriended award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier; the criteria they use includes transparency, quality, flavor, and consistency. Cupping the beans and using both coffee and chocolate flavor wheels helps determine the best roast profile that is used to maintain the defined taste of origin, nutrients, and antioxidants.
Instead of aiming for a dominant chocolate flavor, they prefer highlighting each bean’s specific qualities. This creates an array of taste experiences ranging including spices, floral notes, fruitiness, fresh acidity, sweetness, and nuttiness. All of this is the result of conscious decisions to use light roasts.
Frederik explains, “A dark roast creates a more one-dimensional flavor experience and is often used in search of ‘consistency’ and to eliminate defaults common in lower-quality cacao fruit crops, rushed processes (where the fruit pulp isn’t valued enough for its impact on flavor development), or a lack of attention to agroforestry.”
Experiencing Cacao Bean Origin
Ander is dedicated to creating small batches of pure drinking chocolates with only the bare minimum ingredients: cacao beans, cacao butter, and unrefined sugar. No powders or additives are necessary. Emphasizing the importance of ’cacao beans first’ with a light roast, their drinking chocolates provide an authentic origin experience.
Meanwhile, their filter cacao is a unique beverage that mimics specialty coffee. After being roasted and ground down to the correct classification for pourover or immersion brews, it gives baristas many options. To brew, they can use V60, Clever dripper, flat-bottom brewers, batch brewers, and even a Moka pot.
“Filter cacao is as good as caffeine-free, but packed with theobromine, a natural long-lasting steady kick of energy without coffee jitters,” Frederik adds, “making this beverage a good choice ’round the clock. … And the perfect add-on to specialty coffee in terms of shared bean DNA, hardware, similar brew recipes, barista skills, and origin experiences.”
Other Bean, Same Routine
The specialty-coffee landscape has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Baristas and small roasters are pushing the boundaries of what coffee can be. The same transformation is possible when it comes to cacao beans. Ander is shifting toward a drink that celebrates its full potential, health benefits, and unique flavor profiles.
“We call it ’other bean, same routine,’ but with a whole set of new flavors,” Frederik says. “We push ourselves to develop our products with the barista in mind, from the use of coffee brew recipes and hardware to showcasing and celebrating barista skills and metier. We’re always searching to be able to pour instead of shake, steam instead of stir.”
These specialty cacao drinks have the potential for bars to stand out against other establishments while also expanding their revenue opportunities. It seems this is just the beginning of the journey for specialty cacao. As brewers and baristas explore more possibilities, the industry will continue to evolve to better serve its customers with unique flavors and experiences. We are excited to see what comes next for Ander!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.
READ THE LATEST BARISTA MAGAZINE
Out now: It’s the June + July 2023 issue of Barista Magazine featuring Martin Shabaya of Kenya on the cover. Read it for free with our digital edition. Get your Barista Magazine delivered; start a subscription today! Visit our online store to renew your subscription or order back issues.
