• Author : : Shruti Purohit

Growing Better - Caring for Cacao the Ecotact Way

Cacao is called Earth's natural cup of love. Why? One because of its delicious flavors and two because organic cocoa farming has allowed thousands of farming families to rise from poverty around the world. How? Be it fermented cacao beans, raw cacao beans, roasted cacao beans or cacao powder, they are being used in products such as chocolate, candy bars, and drinks, and have always been in high demand across the globe.

Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, which have significant health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels. Also, studies reveal that cocoa is rich in flavanols, which lower blood pressure by improving nitric oxide levels and blood vessel function. In fact, cocoa is said to have a favorable impact on mood and depression symptoms by minimizing stress and enhancing psychological well-being, contentment, and peacefulness.

However, it is said that the best results be it health benefits, taste, or aroma of cocoa might come from organic farming as compared to traditional methods. How? Let’s explore more.

Organic farming of cacao beans

Traditional cocoa farming and the production of cocoa beans are extremely fragile and labor-intensive processes. Additionally, the use of constant chemical pesticides and fertilizers makes the process even more extensive. It also increases the chances of diseases among the cacao trees. 

Organic cocoa farming on the other hand forms its base on having strong, healthy trees. This is accomplished by preserving the optimum ratio of sunlight, shade, air, water, and nutrients. This also aids in disease prevention, particularly because organic agricultural methods avoid using chemical pesticides or fertilizers. is also beneficial for farmers. Organic cocoa beans can be sold at premium prices thus assisting farmers in boosting their profits. It also saves the cocoa growers from spending money on synthetic fertilizers which can be pretty expensive. 

However, there are a few key points that one needs to keep in mind when doing organic cacao farming. For instance, timing is essential for organic cocoa farming so when the monsoon is retreating is the best time to plant the crop. Having proper soil fertility is a necessity as it is directly proportionate to the ability of cacao to recycle nutrients back into the soil. Also, the most suitable soil to use for organic cocoa farming is the kind that retains moisture even during the dry season. Hence, for farming purposes, a dry season lasting no more than three to four months at a temperature of about 25°C is ideal. Cultivating it works finest on soil that has a pH of 4.0 to 7.5. 

Sustainability - All you need this moment

Having sustainable production is the need of the hour. It is crucial to realize that organic farming not only produces pure products but also avoids the depletion of natural resources. For example, When a farmer is planting cacao trees with other fruit trees, the fruit trees get shade for the cacao tree along with increased biodiversity. Research says that organic farming has led to higher diversification of shade trees thus maintaining more enrichment of biodiversity. 

Although, it is noteworthy that sustainability does not just end at the production level. One needs to have an eco-friendly packaging solution to lock in the sustainable cacao beans’ or organic cacao beans’ freshness and aroma within the packaging as well. That’s where Ecotact comes in. Let’s dive more into it.

Why do you need Ecotact for your cacao?

Offering large vacuum seal bags, we at Ecotact are all about crafting the best coffee bags that preserve all that you love - cacao, green coffee beans, or any other variety of coffee. Our hermetically sealed bags, which can be used as cacao packaging bags, are also eco-friendly coffee bags that ensure that the need of the hour - sustainability -  is taken care of. 

But what makes our solutions for packaging cacao or coffee beans or any other grains, even more special is that along with being eco-friendly coffee bags they are also reusable coffee bags, hence ensuring a step ahead towards environment friendliness whilst increasing usability. Being coffee bag manufacturers, Ecotact believes in maintaining the farm freshness. Hence, with our 9-layer hermetic packaging, be it specialty coffee, cocoa, rice, or any other such food grains they remain as fresh as the day they were harvested.

Visit us at Ecotact to get the best coffee bags and give your beans the specialized storage and packaging solution that keeps the freshness intact, today!