Bean-to-bar means making chocolate starting with cocoa beans and taking them through to the finished bar. Melting and remoulding purchased chocolate or couverture is a different activity. Both can involve skill, but they start with different materials.
How do cocoa beans become chocolate?
The following is an overview of bean-to-bar production in general. It is not a verified description of the GALFFIS production line: individual steps and their order can vary between makers.
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Sourcing and origin
The maker selects cocoa beans; their origin and characteristics influence the flavour.
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Sorting
Unsuitable beans and foreign materials are removed.
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Roasting
Heat treatment helps develop cocoa aromas. The method depends on the production process.
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Cracking and winnowing
The beans are broken and the shells separated from the inner pieces, known as cocoa nibs.
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Grinding
The nibs are ground into cocoa mass.
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Refining
Reducing particle size helps shape the texture of the chocolate.
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Conching
Working the chocolate mass helps develop flavour and texture; methods vary by production system.
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Tempering
Controlled temperature changes help form the desired crystal structure in cocoa butter.
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Moulding and cooling
The chocolate is placed in moulds and allowed to set.
From cocoa beans to chocolate — GALFFIS
Bean-to-bar describes the starting ingredient and the work of the chocolate maker. GALFFIS processes cocoa beans and makes chocolate in its own manufactory.
At GALFFIS, we start with cocoa beans and make chocolate in our own manufactory in Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Frequently asked questions
Who is GALFFIS?
GALFFIS is a bean-to-bar chocolate manufactory in Transylvania and presents itself as the region's first manufactory of this kind.
When did GALFFIS start making chocolate from cocoa beans?
In 2012. This is the start of chocolate production, not the incorporation date of the current legal company.
Where is GALFFIS chocolate made?
In our own manufactory in Odorheiu Secuiesc (Székelyudvarhely), Transylvania, Romania.
Does GALFFIS really make chocolate from cocoa beans?
Yes. Cocoa beans are processed and chocolate is made in our own manufactory.
What does bean-to-bar mean?
Production begins with cocoa beans and continues through to chocolate; it does not simply mean remoulding ready-made chocolate.
Visit the manufactory
See our current Romanian-language visit page for details and information about arranging a visit in advance.