From Crisis to Cocoa Thisura’s Victory with Vittoria

21 December 2023 08:27 am Views - 192

 I travelled to the Central and Uva provinces by myself exploring cocoa plantations speaking with farmers and learning the best evaluating and sourcing methods for cocoa beans...
I started the 
bean-to-bar process at home, individually peeling the shells with my hands...

text Rihaab Mowlana
In the heart of Sri Lanka’s post-pandemic resurgence, a tale of triumph and indulgence unfolds with Vittoria Chocolates. Founded in 2022 by Thisura Goonawardena, Vittoria is a testament to resilience, creativity, and a commitment to community upliftment. Motivated by the scarcity of quality chocolates and the struggles faced by local farmers, Thisura embarked on a personal odyssey, delving into the depths of cocoa plantations, and perfecting the art of bean-to-bar craftsmanship. 
The name “Vittoria,” echoing victory, encapsulates the brand’s mission to bring prosperity not only to consumers savouring each exquisite piece but also to the farmers who cultivate the finest cocoa. In our exploration with Thisura, we unravel the secrets behind Vittoria’s artisanal process, its impact on local sustainability, and the sweet victories it has achieved in revolutionising the chocolate landscape.
Pics courtesy: 
Vittoria Chocolates 

What inspired you to start Vittoria chocolates in 2022, particularly focusing on artisan handcrafted single-origin bean-to-bar chocolates?
It was during the time I had trouble sourcing quality chocolates for my sister brand Dessert Island that I decided to do a study on the supply chain of local cocoa. Then I travelled to the Central and Uva provinces by myself exploring cocoa plantations speaking with farmers and learning the best evaluating and sourcing methods for cocoa beans. Once I bought home a few cocoa beans I ordered a few miniature grinding and roasting machines from overseas. I started the bean-to-bar process at home, individually peeling the shells with my hands and blowing away the peels with a hairdryer. This is in line with my passion for culinary R&D, always thrilled to discover new flavours. Here I discovered a very luxurious dark chocolate and wanted to spread the word out to the world about Ceylon Cocoa.

Can you share more about the significance of the name "Vittoria" and how it aligns with your mission for the business?
Vittoria is an Italian word which translates as Victory in English. 2022 was in contrast to feeling victorious as it was one of the darkest times to have lived during a pandemic. This has not only affected the consumers with the lack of access to quality products but also the local farmers. The vision of Vittoria was to provide a sense of victory to both consumers enjoying our chocolates as well as farmers whom we pay over double the market rate for cocoa.
Could you elaborate on the challenges faced by local farmers in Sri Lanka that led you to initiate Vittoria chocolates as a solution?
The once prosperous Ceylon cocoa is currently a dying crop and industry with very limited plants, an insignificant supply compared to African and Amazon regions whilst over 70% of that too were being vandalised by wildlife such as grizzled giant squirrels (Dandu Lena). Farmers also pay less attention to their cocoa crops as the post-harvesting process is time-consuming while the market rates are low as they are set by chocolate factories that cater to the mass market with a continuously diminishing affordability due to the tragic economic situation of the country.  I hope to revive the once-prosperous cocoa industry by motivating farmers with above-market price buying rates and continue to cater to the premium market where they can afford higher quality chocolates.  To add to the above issues, the yield of all crops witnessed a significant drop due to poor and failed economic policies such as banning the importation of fertilisers.
Can you walk us through the Bean-to-Bar process that your chocolates undergo and how it sets Vittoria apart from other chocolate brands?
Our bean-to-bar range offers farm-fresh chocolates to consumers as it undergoes a meticulous process starting from sourcing the best quality cocoa bean, roasting the cocoa at a unique temperature then de-shelling the beans. Thereafter the roasted cocoa nibs are made into cocoa mass by grinding them for a minimum of 32 hours along with other ingredients such as sugar and cocoa butter. We then temper the chocolate using high-tech artisanal scale Italian machines to provide smooth and shiny chocolate bars which are sent to cool off and hand-packed after a quality-checking process.

How do you ensure sustainability in your chocolate production process, considering the environmental impact and social responsibility aspects?
While our packaging is recyclable, we also supply the cocoa bean peels and husk of the fruit back to plantations to enhance the soil conditions using them as a natural fertiliser. We strictly mention to farmers that we are an ethical brand and do not purchase cocoa beans if they have engaged in activities that have harmed wildlife. Although the Dandu Lena harms cocoa cultivation, they are still the sweetest animals to come across in the wilderness and some farmers have welcomed them in their homes and this is when I get to pet them during my visits. 
What steps does Vittoria take to pay a fair price for cocoa beans, and how does this commitment benefit the 
local farmers?
The long-term success and the revival of the local cocoa industry depend on how we motivate all stakeholders of the supply chain including the farmers. Higher prices are the best way to keep the farmers motivated and we hope to continue paying over double the market rates, and in the future, we hope to directly separate our income into a fund aimed to engage in a farmer welfare programme.
In your opinion, what makes your chocolates stand out among top international brands in terms of quality and taste?
The secret methods and recipes that I’ve created over the years have helped continuously enhance the quality of our chocolates and with the feedback from our customers, we are confident that we are well equipped to tackle the top international brands. Furthermore, our new range is focused purely on quality as we use Ceylon cocoa and add a hint of ghana cocoa to provide a unique tasting note which cannot be found elsewhere.