2_4_DiscoverBenelux_13_Januar_2014_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 17/12/2014 15:20 Page 14
Discover Benelux | Special Theme | Chocolate
E T H I q U A B L E
A fair trade and fair taste Founded as a cooperative enterprise in 2009, Ethiquable is a specialist in fair trade and organic products, bringing to the Benelux the best and tastiest products from countries south of the equator in a fair and environmentally-friendly way. TEXT: BETTINA GUIRKINGER | PHOTOS: ETHIqUABLE
With the ambition to sustain small-scale farming, over the years Ethiquable has successfully built a strong relationship with small farming cooperatives all over the southern world to bring products of high quality and taste to consumers in Europe. This ensures that everyday products such as coffee, tea, cereals and chocolate come from their country of origin certified 100% organic, and contribute to a diet free of chemicals and GMOs. "The average consumer is more and more concerned with where their food comes from and who is responsible for making it,” says co-founder Stephan Vincent, “and this is an answer that we can provide them.” Operating in over 20 countries and still growing, Ethiquable values excellence in their products and pays close attention to the economic, biodiversity and social impact of their work, putting the worker at the centre of its scheme. “We strongly believe that small-scale farming is a key component in sustainable development. Not
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only does it ensure products of high quality, it also allows farmers all over the world to be able to live from their land and get a fair price for their hard work.” Invited by the Salon du Chocolat this year, Ethiquable was asked to present their products next to the finest chocolatiers from Belgium, Switzerland and France, where it had already won the prize for Cacao Excellence last year. Beyond their ethical values, Ethiquable stood out by the richness of its cocoa beans in the creation of their chocolate. While different types of beans are often mixed together in the production of chocolate, Ethiquable keeps
beans from the same origin together, which gives their chocolate a unique and powerful taste. “We really believe that it is possible to create a high quality product with high quality ingredients and still be able to meet social, economical and environmental responsibility. One doesn't have to go without the other,” concludes Vincent. The future looks bright and promising for Ethiquable, which is still growing and looking to enlarge the scope of their work. www.ethiquable.be Co-founder Stephan Vincent