ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters unveils 'SUSTAINABLE FUTURE' PROGRAMME to support THE SURVIVAL OF TRINITARIO COCOA PRODUCTION IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

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Oct 13, 2022, 14:25 ET

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO, Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters, the best-selling cocoa bitters, announced today its 'Sustainable Future' programme designed to ensure a sustainable future for small scale organic cocoa farmers in Trinidad & Tobago. The programme will empower small local cocoa farmers while protecting and promoting Trinidad's prized Trinitario variety.

Angostura^® launched cocoa bitters in 2020 as a celebration of the company's provenance and as part of its commitment to promote local industries. ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters uses nibs of Trinidad & Tobago's local agricultural treasure, Trinitario cocoa, which is world renowned for its bold, fruity characteristics and depth of flavour and aroma. When combined with Angostura's blending expertise it creates an award-winning cocoa bitters that is perfect in cocktails such as the Espresso Martini or to enhance the flavour of culinary dishes like savoury sauces and desserts.

The ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters 'Sustainable Future' initiative will focus on farmer education and empowerment to support the survival of the Trinitario cocoa variety as well as promote the continued quality of Trinidad's trinitario cocoa on the world stage captured through digital storytelling and documentary filmmaking.

The first part of the programme sees ANGOSTURA^®cocoa bitters partner with Übergreen Organics Ltd to establish three organic cocoa nurseries and clonal gardens. The cocoa plant nurseries will provide healthy, productive, disease and drought resilient varieties of Trinidad's heirloom trinitario cocoa plants. Übergreen Organics will also deliver training to farms on topics including nursery management, organic certification, and the use of new technologies.

The three cocoa nurseries will produce useful data and specific insights about soil conditions, micro-climates, and other external factors on tree productivity. The nurseries will make over 1,000 plants available each month and increase the income potential of farmers in rural communities.

The second part of ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters 'Sustainable Future' project is a documentary called 'The Story Behind Trinitario Cocoa,' which explores the challenges and opportunities of the cocoa and chocolate industry in Trinidad & Tobago. It examines key risks to the industry due to climate change and the younger generations seeking opportunities beyond farming.

Ian Forbes, CEO (Ag) for Angostura^®Limited, comments: "The quality of our local cocoa in Trinidad is a source of great pride and is what inspired the creation of ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters. We've been working closely with farmers from the very beginning and understanding more about the structural issues in the cocoa industry and wanted to help with some solutions to support sustainable farming and growth in the agricultural sector. Cocoa, like Angostura^®, has been such an important part of Trinidad's story for almost two hundred years; it's part of our collective cultural heritage and it's imperative we protect it."

Rene Sperber from Übergreen Organics Ltd, adds: 'The extremely low yields of cocoa plants in Trinidad & Tobago, which is many times lower than the global average, is making farming unsustainable on the islands. The new nursery plantings will provide local farmers with disease resistant plants that can yield higher quantities of healthy, quality cocoa fruit. This will be a game changer for many farmers, and both increase their income and reduce their risk. The Trinitario plant is so well suited to the soil and climate of Trinidad & Tobago and there is such a great opportunity for its prized flavours in artisan chocolate production globally. It's great to see ANGOSTURA^® cocoa bitters supporting this initiative and listening to the industry about what it needs to survive and thrive."    

Denise Speck, the director of the film, comments: "There is huge global consumer demand for unique, single origin, fully traceable, high-quality produce. Trinidad & Tobago has this with Trinitario, but until now small-scale producers haven't been able to effectively tell their stories. Storytelling is essential within responsible supply chains and adds value at every stage of the chain."

ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters is available worldwide. For more information, please visit www.angosturabitters.com

About The House of ANGOSTURA
The proud history of THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA began almost 200 years ago in 1824, when founder Dr. Johann Siegert first produced aromatic bitters in the city of Angostura in Venezuela. Recognized over the centuries by the granting of Royal Warrants of Appointment to the royal households of Great Britain, Prussia, Spain and Sweden, ANGOSTURA aromatic, orange and cocoa bitters are the world's market leader, an integral ingredient in premium cocktails and a mainstay of cocktail culture. ANGOSTURA's international range of rums, produced at the only rum distillery in Trinidad, includes five distinctive, exquisitely blended rums: ANGOSTURA 1824®, ANGOSTURA® 1919, ANGOSTURA 7-Year-Old, ANGOSTURA 5-Year-Old and ANGOSTURA Reserva, blended by masters with years of experience and training in original traditions using closely guarded formulas and techniques. The multiple award-winning Amaro di ANGOSTURA leverages the brand's unsurpassed heritage as a blender of the finest bitters and rums.

About Übergreen Organics Ltd.

Ubergreen Organics Ltd. is passionate about cocoa and loves sharing True Triniatario cocoa with the world. It's organic-certified Fine or Flavor True Trinitario Cocoa Beans keep everyone smiling, from consumers who taste the final product, to the farmers, chocolate makers and chocolatiers who work with us. It sources only True Trinitario cocoa beans from the land of its birth, Trinidad & Tobago to provide a consistent supply to the finest chocolate makers in the world.

About Denise Speck

After completing a Master of Science in Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Denise began working as a story-telling consultant for the Interamerican Development Bank where she conducted novel ethnographic field research on cocoa farmers of the Organic Fine Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster in Trinidad & Tobago. Denise specialises in innovatively combines transdisciplinary research skills and the art of digital storytelling to support responsible businesses in creating long-term, sustainable impact.

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