by Thomas Gomersall
Those who checked out Masarang HK’s website back in December might remember that it has recently partnered with the family-run, Hong Kong based artisanal chocolate company, Cacao. Masarang palm sugar is a staple ingredient of these chocolates, with taste tests finding that they tasted better than chocolates made with ordinary mass produced sugar. As a result of this enhanced taste, Cacao’s chocolates have been gaining attention from not only buyers, but also from some very high places. Recently, the chef of a 5-star hotel in Hong Kong approached the company about making a large batch of chocolates for them to sell on Valentine’s Day.
With so much to thank Masarang for and with their own strong commitment to environmental protection, it only made sense for Cacao to hold a benefit sale on the 11th of December at the Conrad Hotel, with all proceeds going to assist Masarang’s conservation efforts in Indonesia. The timing could not have been better. With Christmas being just around the corner, buyers were keen to stock up on luxury chocolates for their loved ones, leading to Cacao’s most successful sale yet and over HK$16,800 to donate to Masarang.
It is money that will surely be put to good use. Conservation can do great things for nature but it often suffers from a lack of funding. One of the clearest examples of this in Masarang’s case is the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre and the Sintang Orangutan Centre, which are both under constant pressure to maintain, expand and upgrade their enclosures thanks to a continuing stream of wildlife, rescued from the illegal trade and as a consequence of deforestation.
Cacao’s donation could help to allow for such developments to be made. In addition, its continuing purchase of palm sugar will allow Masarang to continue restoring Indonesia’s rainforests through its use of the arenga palm –a tree that can only grow in diverse plant communities– for its sugar production, as well as providing an economic incentive for local villagers to protect the rainforest.
If you would like to follow Cacao’s example and help provide Masarang with much needed funds (while also sampling some tasty and environmentally friendly chocolates), you don’t need to wait until next Christmas. Visit Cacao’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cacaohk/ ) for details on their next sale. Or if you don’t think you can wait that long, don’t hesitate to place an order for a box at carolyn@cacao.hk.
Happy New Year. Make it sweet, for yourself and for the environment.
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