Choco Fresh: a Peruvian venture that breaks the mold

Happiness can also be found in chocolate. And if it's made from cocoa and eucalyptus, it's twice as nice for the palate. Choco Fresh – an innovative project created by Peruvian hands – meets these requirements. And many others.

Mouth-watering

Each form contains 50% cocoa and, despite being small in size, guarantees a great taste experience thanks to its other star ingredient: a generous dose of eucalyptus oil.

This attractive proposal is part of a project being developed by the Huanuco brand Kimpito, from the company Navinttato S.A.C., a firm with experience experimenting with Peruvian ingredients. Its other products include exquisite mixtures of cocoa and aguaymanto, camu camu, lemon verbena, maca and even rocoto.

This time, they combined cocoa and eucalyptus with surprising success.

The trials and rigorous tests were carried out by top professionals from CITEagroindustrial Huallaga, promoted by the Technological Institute of Production of the Ministry of Production. It should be noted that the manufacturing of Choco Fresh complies with the standards and protocols of biosafety required by the new COVID-19 regulations.

Benefits of the product

Peruvian cocoa – considered "food of the gods" and, of course, a fundamental component for the creation of chocolates – originated in the Peruvian Amazon basin. It is mainly grown in the departments of San Martín, Junín, Ucayali, Cusco, Huánuco, Amazonas and Cajamarca.

Its composition holds a generous list of benefits for the human body. As it contains theobromine, it reduces stress levels and stimulates concentration and memory. Thanks to its dose of tryptophan, which stimulates the production of the famous happiness hormone (called serotonin), its consumption can be recommended to people suffering from depression.

Cocoa also has antioxidant properties that reduce levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL). It also prevents the appearance of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; as well as oncological illnesses such as colon, prostate, gastric and liver cancer.

It is also rich in minerals: magnesium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.

Thanks to its flavonoid content, it repairs cell damage in the skin and nourishes the hair from root to tip. 

On the other hand, the second component of Choco Fresh, eucalyptus, also has benefits for the body. "It has various anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and expectorant properties. It is one of the most effective plants for treating different respiratory conditions, fighting muscle and joint pain, and purifying the air, among other health benefits," says the Ministry of Production.

Teamwork

The Technological Institute of Production is a public body that works hand in hand with Peruvian companies to improve their productivity, quality and profitability. Through the CITEs (Centers for Productive Innovation and Technology Transfer) it provides environmentally sustainable and accessible innovation, research, adaptation, transformation and technology transfer services.

"Each CITE is a meeting point between the State, academia and the private sector that coordinates with all the other elements of the innovation system of supply chains," says the Produce portal.

CITEagroindustrial Produce – where the Choco Fresh line was developed – seeks to boost the competitiveness of Peru and optimize processes that contribute to nutritional and food security.

Did you know that...?

• In addition to being an ingredient used in the world of chocolate, cocoa can be purchased in beans, liquor, drinks, butter and beauty supplies.
• Peru is the birthplace of cocoa and it is here that the greatest genetic diversity is found worldwide.
• According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Peru is the third largest producer and exporter of this product in Latin America.

Sources: Andina/ Produce/ Caretas