Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Hongkongers Gavin Chan and Whitney Yip are digging deep into an industry they have grown to love since founding Gamma Craft Chocolate in 2018.
The couple grows cacao trees in Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, and uses their seeds to make chocolate.
“We have about 30 cacao trees on a 3,000 sq ft [280 square metre] piece of land,” Chan said.
Although growing cacao in the city is expensive, chocolate makers want easy access to the raw ingredient because cocoa prices are at a record high.
Climate change is a major reason. Heatwaves and intense rain are damaging cacao trees in West Africa, which produces three-quarters of the world’s cocoa, according to UN Trade and Development.
Cocoa shortages have left a bitter taste for chocolate makers. Big and small brands worldwide have struggled to source specific cocoa varieties.
Yip and Chan embrace the idea of bean-to-bar chocolate. This movement makes chocolate from scratch and focuses on small production, quality ingredients and transparency.
They also want to educate others about where ingredients are sourced, Chan said. “We want people to visit and see the trees and learn more about how chocolate is made.”
Quiz time
1. What do Gavin Chan and Whitney Yip grow?
2. What is happening to the price of cocoa?
3. How is climate change hurting the chocolate industry?
4. When it comes to making chocolate, what factors do Yip and Chan focus on?
Suggested answers
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They grow cacao trees and use their seeds to make chocolate.
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The price of cocoa is rising because of shortages.
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Heatwaves and intense rains are damaging cacao trees in West Africa, where most of the world’s cocoa comes from.
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Yip and Chan focus on small production, quality ingredients and transparency.
