Frequently Asked Questions

Just as with all chocolates conventionally made with only the beans of the cacao-fruit, Upcycled cacao-fruit chocolates also have different tastes and textures. The QUANTITY and ORIGIN of the Upcycled cacao-fruit used, combined with the techniques and recipes created, all result in distinctly different finished chocolate characteristics. 

Our Coco Polo bliss™ Non-GMO Upcycled cacao-fruit is sourced from Ecuador, the basis of our new premium chocolate for an elevated indulgence. Made in the tradition of European chocolate excellence, without sugar's distraction, Coco Polo bliss™ offers an authentic full chocolate taste.

While some brands use Stevia as its sweetener, Coco Polo bliss™ has done its own R&D with the sweetener for over 20 years to make sure we had eliminated the undesirable and identifiable Stevia taste while keeping the enjoyable taste. We have NO STEVIA or UNFAMILIAR TASTES, which would distract from the wholesome richness of the whole cacao-fruit, the real star of our chocolate.

Unlike other chocolates, when we make our chocolate with 100% upcycled cacao-fruit instead of the beans alone, which is 30% of the whole cacao-fruit, farmers receive more revenue by selling the 70% of the cacao-fruit which is normally discarded. This 70% also has real nutritional value, just like the beans themselves.

Inclusions selected need to provide significant nutritional benefits.  Our criteria for choosing what to add to our chocolate was to boost health properties to our already antioxidant rich upcycled whole cacao-fruit chocolate.  All inclusions were qualified first as having a Low-GI (Glycemic Index) and are Organic/Non-GMO/Natural with no empty calories nor fibers to provide the most enrichment for the calorie intake. 

Coco Polo’s chocolates can last up to 12 months from time of manufacture. The “Best By Date” shown on the back of our bars reflects these time limits. Our bars, as with all chocolates, store best at 65-70 degrees, away from direct sunlight, in low humidity and sealed from surrounding smells that can affect their taste and texture.

But we recommend eating our chocolates as soon as you receive them!

The whole cacao-fruit is traceable to the Cocoa Cooperative/Village. We source sustainably (see our Sustainability Page), mostly Organic and reliable NON-GMO certified partners, even to the selection of our Singing Dog Vanilla®*, who we consider the most fairly traded vanilla available, to provide you with chocolate you will feel good about.

*Look them up https://www.singingdogvanilla.com
to read about their story

An additional line on the nutrition panel which says “Added sugars”, means that a form of sugar has been added in the manufacturing process.  Coco Polo bliss™ chocolates will show “0” added sugars as the sweetness is not supplemented by Added Sugars of any kind.

• No Refined or Raw Cane
• No Maple
• No Date
• No Coconut
• No Beet

• No Polyols nor ingredients that can cause Digestive Issue nor Artificial Sweeteners. Nothing to distract from the cacao fruit nutrients:
• No Erythritol
• No Maltitol
• No Allulose
• No Sucralose
• No unnecessary Added Carbs nor Fiber Fillers, aka bulking agents
  

Also, read about our choice of Sustainable Sweetener, Stevia, on our Sustainability Page

Yes, call us at (800)-433-2462 EST and ask about our Starter Sampler Pack.

Sugar comes in many forms, which when accumulated on a daily basis, makes it difficult for the body to process efficiently and therefore contributing to possible health problems.

By choosing foods without added sugars that still satisfy the needs of the body and mind, the positive benefits and satisfaction are not diluted by the negative effects of sugar.

Stevia is derived from a plant found in South America. It is 300x sweeter than sugar but contains zero calories. For more info, check out our Stevia page under Sustainability.

Yes, definitely!  Each of our chocolates has its own attributes that we are happy to talk to you about.

Call us at (800)-433-2462 EST. Ask for Coco Polo bliss™.