Wettest December Ever!

Sad news my dear followers!
Due to the heavy rains the ground is all saturated and so we can't get in to harvest the cocoa! Let alone dry any beans :..( The only thing to do now is wait for the rain to stop - atleast long enough for the land to dry out and harden up the ground so we can get in there to pick. At that point, we'll have to sell the beans wet (undried,unfermented, straight outta the pod) as there's no sign of the dry season in sight. But when it comes, some farmers are saying, it's going to be a pretty dry one. Let's pray it's nowhere as dry as the last!

Master Chocolatier Course in Belgium

October 3rd -8th 2010

The most exciting, action-packed week of my life!
So much so, that my plan for journaling the entire week day by day went completely out the window! Consequently, I must know reconstruct a week of advanced instruction, factory tours, shop visits and chocolate boutique walking tours from memory!

Let's see if the official itinerary from EC's website can help :)

About Callebaut:

With Barry Callebaut, there is a history of over 150 years in the world of cocoa
and chocolate. With their first steps into the processing and production of high
quality chocolates, they laid the foundations for their current expertise and
research into new products and techniques.

Tour Itinerary:

Sunday: Independent arrivals in Brussels, Belgium.
Monday: We leave at 8:00 AM for The Chocolate Academy in Weize. Welcome Dinner that evening after we settle into our hotel in Aalst.

Tuesday,Wednesday: Full day of classes at The Chocolate Academy.

Thursday: We complete our program at The Chocolate Academy including a tour the Barry Callebaut chocolate factory and a private laboratory visit with Barry Callebaut Ambassador and Master Chocolatier.

Friday: We return to Brussels in the morning to check into our Brussels hotel, enjoy our Farewell lunch and a tour of the important chocolate boutiques.

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Stay tuned for my commentary and links to pictures from the week!

(Thanks for the push Matt!)