Bean-to-Bar to #doDifferent
We all know the feeling: the pure, unadulterated joy that comes with sinking your teeth into a piece of rich, dark chocolate. But have you ever stopped to consider the journey of that bean, or the person who farmed it?
In the vast world of mass-produced sweets, one Cape Town artisan is proving that indulgence and integrity don’t just coexist—they make a perfect pair. Enter Honest Chocolate, the small, South African-owned company that is living up to its name by intentionally #doDifferent across the African continent, from the farm to the Factory in Woodstock.
Honest Chocolate isn't just selling chocolate; they are building what they call a 'Chain of Positivity' through ethical sourcing, handcrafted production, and a deeply authentic experience. Here’s a look at how they are making a real, positive impact on people and the planet.
Honest Chocolate is one of the few true Bean-to-Bar producers in South Africa. This isn't just a marketing phrase—it's a commitment. It means they source raw cacao beans and manage every single step of the process in-house, from roasting and winnowing to grinding and hand-tempering the final product.
The chocolate itself is dark (mostly 70%), pure, and simple. It’s made using only two main ingredients: organic Tanzanian Cacao and an unrefined sweetener like coconut blossom sugar. They refuse to use dairy, preservatives, or emulsifiers, resulting in a product that is almost entirely vegan and focuses on the true, fruity flavour of the cacao bean.
The global cocoa industry has historically been plagued by unethical labour and exploitative pricing. Honest Chocolate combats this directly through their commitment to Direct Trade:
Fair Wages: They source their 100% single-origin, certified organic beans from Kokoa Kamili in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania. This fermentation plant works with approximately 2,000 small-scale farmers, ensuring they are paid a premium, fair wage for their top-quality beans.
Continental Footprint: Since cacao doesn’t grow in South Africa, sourcing from Tanzania means they are deliberately keeping their supply chain and environmental footprint within the African continent.
Environmental Protection: By paying farmers well and building long-term relationships, Honest Chocolate helps support environmentally friendly practices and ensures farmers don't feel pressure to sell their land to mass-producers, thereby protecting fragile ecosystems.
By taking the time and effort to establish this short, transparent supply line, Honest Chocolate ensures that your decadent treat is also a guilt-free investment in the well-being of African farming communities.
The positive chain extends right back to their Cape Town home. The entire process—from tempering the chocolate by hand on a granite slab to individually hand-dipping every truffle—is done using old-school, artisanal methods at their production kitchen in Woodstock.
This dedication to being handcrafted serves a bigger purpose: job creation and skill development in the local community. By choosing labour-intensive methods over expensive machinery, they invest directly in their South African team, fostering a culture of personal accountability and craftsmanship.
Want to get up close and personal with the positive change? Honest Chocolate invites you in!
The Chocolate Cafés:
Stop by their flagship location at 64A Wale Street in the heart of Cape Town for an indulgent escape. You can settle in the sunny courtyard (which hides the famed Secret Gin Bar in the evenings) and enjoy their famous Banana Bread Bunny Chow (yes, really!) or a creamy dairy-free milkshake. For a seaside treat, their Kalk Bay Café offers the same wholesome menu with sweeping ocean views.
The Workshops:
For the chocolate enthusiast, the in-person workshops at the Woodstock Factory are a must. They offer an immersive experience where you:
Taste various ethically sourced dark chocolates.
Learn about the ethical and sustainable practices of their bean-to-bar production.
Roll up your sleeves and dip, decorate, and wrap your very own set of bonbons to take home.
Honest Chocolate is a shining example of a local business that understands the power of conscious consumption. By choosing a slab, truffle, or hot chocolate from this small artisan team, you are not just getting one of the purest and most delicious treats in the world; you are supporting a short supply chain committed to fair wages for farmers and job creation right here in South Africa.
It's time to indulge with integrity.
