'''Madagascar is not widely known for its making chocolate production, at least not in comparison to like the chocolate nations of Switzerland or and Belgium. But as most chocolate experts knowagree, Madagascar is a high quality cocoa producing nation with boasting two major bean-to-bar chocolate factories , making premium quality chocolate with high quality cocoa that grow exclusively especially dark and above all delicious chocolates from naturally organic cacao grown in the northwest [[Ambanja ]] region in the northwest of the country.'''
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[[File:Madagascar Chocolate_002.jpg|600px|thumb|none|[[Chocolaterie Robert]], [[Chocolaterie Colbert|Colbert]] and [[Cinagra]] bars]]
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In fact, Madagascar has in fact a long history of chocolateproduction, dating back to the early years ofthe French colonial times, 1937 to be precise. In those daysto a metropolitan France, Madagascar was a majorcocoa exporterin supplying a metropolitan France. Today Madagascar's cocoa production istiny in comparison to the for example Ivory Coast , which produceproduces about 38% of the world's cocoa, while almost . Almost all cocoa cacao grownin Madagascar come from an area about 50-kilometre kilometres in radiusand represent represents less than one percent 1% of the world's cocoa production.The area is cacao plantations can be found in the [[Sambirano]], which region within the Ambanja district. The area is also named after the name of a river sourcedin Sambirano River which runs from the foothills of Madagascar's highest peak[[Maromokotro]] through the Sambirano Valley and the countryside and eventually into the Indian Ocean. The Due to natural sesonal flooding of the river, the soil along the Sambirano riverbedand its surrounding cocoa cacao plantations are highly enriched with minerals and nutrients inthe soil by yearly floods. Unlike many other nations cocoa cacao producingregionsin other countries, this area the Sambirano region is unique in that it yields cocoa crop cacao all year round.There is are plenty of Criollo (the finesthighest quality cacao beans), Forastero (the most commonused for bulk cocoacommonly found variety) and Trinitario (a cross between the twoCriollo and Forastero).
Most if not all cocoa plantations in Madagascar are operated by smallindependent family-run farming businesses, who have been growing cocoa intheir natural environment for generations, without use of fertilisersand mass farming techniques[[File:Cinagra 070. Slave labour is commonly reported in the jpg|thumb|600px|none|Crushed Malagasy cocoa industry, especially in the Ivory Coast,but is non-existent in Madagascar. Much with splinters of Sambirano's cocoa grow on former fruit plantations thatwere in use during the French colonial period.The resulting crop has a unique and fruity flavour that that isnaturally sweet and especially suitable nibs ready for producing non-bitter darkprocessing into liquid chocolate without having to use excessive sugar contentand unatural flavoring agents. The final product is generally rich inantioxidant flavoinoids, the healthy ingredientsfound in high proportions in pure Malagasy cocoa. ]]
[[File:Cinagra 013Most cacao plantations in Madagascar are small farms run by families who have been growing cacao in their natural environment without use of fertilisers and mass farming methods for generations.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Cinagra Tsar Noir 100%]]While slave labour is commonly reported in the cacao industry, especially in Ivory Coast, it is non-existent in Madagascar. Much of Sambirano's cacao trees stand on former fruit plantations dating back to the French colonial times. The resulting cocoa has hints of citrus fruit and is naturally sweet, which makes the Malagasy cocoa especially suitable for production of non-bitter dark chocolate without use of excessive sugar content or other additives. Furthermore, the final Madagascar chocolate product is usually rich in antioxidant flavoinoids as well as other healthy and reputedly aphrodisiac ingredients found in high proportions in pure Malagasy cacao. <!--(phenylethylamine??)-->
[[Chocolaterie Robert]] and [[Cinagra]] are the only two bean-to-bar chocolateproducers in Madagascar. Their chocolate is chocolates are of single Malagasy origin, meaningthey grow using cacao grown in Madagascar with their cocoa products made and produce their chocolates packaged entirely in Madagascar.
Chocolaterie Robert dates back to 1937, when a French couple,Mr and Mrs Robert, set up Madagascar's first chocolate factory in[[Brickaville]]. Today , Chocolaterie Robert's bars can be found everywherein Madagascar, from small village shops to upmarket confectionery stores inmetropolitan areas. In 2006 Chocolaterie Robert's ''Mora Mora '' and''Sambirano '' brands respectively won the Chocolate Academy's SilverCup and the Best Buy Ethical Award. In 2013 Robert launched a range of bars branded [[Chocolat Madagascar]] intended mainly for export.
The second largest and more recently established Malagasy chocolate maker, [[File:Cinagra 013.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Cinagra,Tsar Noir 100%]] {|style="width:608px;border-collapse:collapse;border:0px solid green;padding:0px;"|-has been making chocolate at their |style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 023.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's headquarter and factory in Antananarivo]] based factory since 2006|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Chocolaterie Robert 044.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Chocolaterie Robert's 61% cocoa,kaffir lime and Fleur de Sel bar and the 68% cocoa bar with cocoa nibs]]|-also using single origin cocoa grown in |style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 038.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Malagasy workers at the Sambirano regionCinagra factory packaging fine chocolate bars by hand]]|style="padding:0px;"|[[File:Cinagra 073.jpg|292px|thumb|none|Cinagra's 72% cocoa Tsar bar with roasted cocoa nibs and its 44% cocoa variety with natural vanilla]]|}
The more recently established Chocolaterie Cinagra has been making chocolate at their [[Antananarivo]] based factory since 2006, also using single origin cacao grown on plantations within the Sambirano region. In 2009 their 63% cocoa based ''Tsar '' bar won first price atthe [http://www.salon-du-chocolat.com Salon de Chocolat Paris] in France andsince . Since 2008, Cinagra is producing produces chocolate for Madecasse,[[Madécasse]] - a US importer and brand which is exported and , sold primarily in the US and Canadaas well as Germany.
A third, tiny smaller but nonetheless noteworthy Malagasy appreciated Madagascar chocolate maker brand is[[Chocolaterie Colbert]]. Although they do not grow their own cocoa buy and process cacao beans directly from farmers and cantherefore not be classified a bean-to-bar producer,their Colbert's recipes are their own and sincethey do buy the raw ingredients processed cocoa from both Chocolaterie Robertand Cinagra, their final products are also of single Malagasy origin.Colbert's highly priced range of handmade pralines and chocolate barscan be found is sold only at the [[Pâtisserie ColberColbert]] tin in Antananarivo, part of [[Hotel Colbert]]. Colbert'schocolate made Their bars and pralines, handmade and gift-wrapped by a small team of talented chocolatiers is , are always freshat the counter and their gift-wrapped chocolate creations makeideal presents for special occasions.<br clear="all">
[[File:Chocolaterie Colbert 01.jpg|600px|thumb|none|The [[Chocolaterie Colbert]] 's dedicated teamof chocolatiers proudly presenting their freshly made pralines]]
Madagascar is not an heavilya highly industrialised mass farming state of nation by any measure and thus it's cocoa is, including its farming methods. Malagasy cacao therefore remains relatively short in supply. It's total production accountsfor less than 1% of the world's cocoa. Perhaps this explains is why RobertMadagascar's, Colbert's and Cinagra's chocolatescannot chocolate brands are not easily be found in stores outside Madagascar. In fact, at the time of writing, chocolate brands made as well as sold in Madagascarare available only in a few select stores in France, South Africa and Japan. A good tip for anyone visiting the countrylarge island: Bring as manyof Robert's, Cinagra 's and Colbert bars your budget allows orsuitcase will carry. It's highly unlikely that bars and pralines as possible back home, as youwill not likely find the same as high quality chocolate at a similar price anywhereelse as reasonable prices elsewhere in the world!
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Visit the individual pages about the three Madagascar chocolate makers:
* [[Chocolaterie Robert]]
* [[Cinagra|Chocolaterie Cinagra]]
* [[Chocolaterie Colbert]]
Furthermore, [[Madécasse]] is a If you can't buy chocolate brand produced and packaged in Madagascar by [[Cinagra]] for export to the US and Canada. [[File:Madecasse_0001.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Madécasse , various chocolate bar with 70% cocoa]] Companies and brands using cocoa grown makers in Madagascar whose chocolate is made outside Madagascar include: * other countries offer [[Patric Chocolate]]* [[Amano Chocolatemakers using Madagascar cocoa|Amano Artisan Chocolate]]* [[Coppeneur Chocolate]]* [http://www.lindt.com/au/noswf/eng/products/excellence/excellence-madagascar Lindt] (Excellence Madagascar range).* [http://www.ilovao.com VAO VAO]* [http://www.roguechocolatier.com/products-page Sambirano] by Rougue Chocolatier.* [[J.D. Gross Madagaskar]]* [[Madanga]] by Rausch Schokolade.* [[Pierre Hermé Paris]] has a 75% Madagascar cocoa based chocolate.* [http://www.chocolate-bars.co.uk/lightly-salted-pistachio-milk-chocolate-block Thorntons] 32% Madagascar cocoa ], either made from bean to bar.* [http://www.chocolatereviews.co.uk/madagascaror from pre-75-single-origin-dark-chocolate/ Pralus] 75% crushed cocoa exported from Madagascar cocoa bar. [[File:Madanga 05.jpg|thumb|600px|none|[[Madanga]] bar by Rausch However, such brands are mostly available in Germanyspecialised gourmet chocolate stores, usually at relatively high prices.]] == Additional information ==
* http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/MAIN/chocolate/lindt-excellence-chocolate.asp* http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=481* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10986625= External link ==
* http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/KKO->International-met-le-cap-sur,22293.html