From Ghana with Crunch: Coconut chips

Capture the taste of a sunny day? It is possible. We do it, every day. Want to know how? Then take a look at where a real wanderlust snack is created from traditional craftsmanship. And where people live better lives because we like to snack better. Sounds pathetic, but it's a beautiful reality.

Anna Moscagiuri

18.04.2024

in Product stories

Reading time: 5 minutes

Palmen wiegen im Wind, umgeben von üppigem tropischem Grün und blauem Himmel.

Ghana: Sun kiss meets coconut scent

Lush landscapes and a wonderfully tropical climate - this is Ghana, a West African country where the sun shines relentlessly and the tantalizing scent of adventure is in the air. Here we find an extensive coconut-growing region. This special place on the Atlantic Ocean is the cradle of our coconut chips.

Timeless through the seasons

In the western regions of Ghana, where nature still seems untouched, coconut palms are cultivated in traditional groves. These palm groves are a legacy passed down from generation to generation, a testimony to people's connection with their land. The coconut, a symbol of vitality, knows no season. It provides people here with a reliable source of income all year round - especially when other fruits such as mangoes are not in season.

Kokosnüsse schwimmen in einem Wasserbecken in einer industriellen Verarbeitungsanlage.

Through thickets over narrow paths

Young coconut palms bear their first fruit after 4 to 8 years. As soon as the spherical tropical treasures are ripe, they literally drop to the ground and wait to be picked up by industrious hands. As simple as it sounds, this harvest is no easy task. The farmers often have to climb steep slopes or fight their way through dense undergrowth to find the precious fruit, as the groves are part of the natural landscape. Here, cultivation and economy merge fruitfully.

Soft shell over a hard core

Freshly harvested coconuts are not yet as brown as we know them. They have a green, still relatively soft shell that surrounds the hard nut kernel. However, this changes when the nuts arrive at their next station, where the "dehusking" takes place. The soft green shell is removed first, which is crucial in order to get to the hard brown nut and its valuable white interior. After a careful quality check and a cleaning process in which each nut is cleaned by machine brushes and washed in a water bath, it is ready for the next stage.

Arbeiter in Schutzkleidung verarbeiten Kokosnussstückchen auf einem Tablett in einer Fabrikumgebung.

First crack, then snack

In the factory, the hard brown skin is broken open by skilled hands. The white flesh is then carefully washed and cut into pieces. From then on, machines take over again, shaping the coconut flesh into the characteristic chip shape and drying it to the perfect crisp. It takes around 13 to 15 hours to achieve this. At this point at the latest, they are unstoppable: Freshly packaged, they start their journey to us in Ulm. And from here, it won't be long before they crunch their way right into your heart.

From tropical rain to coconut water

The cultivation and processing of coconuts is water-intensive. We therefore collect the excess water during the rainy season and treat it to responsibly meet the high demand of the coconut plantations. In this way, we conserve natural resources and at the same time ensure that our production processes do not harm the local ecosystem. By using innovative technologies for water treatment and storage, we actively contribute to environmental protection and promote sustainability in the region.

Zwei Menschen sammeln Kokosnüsse im tropischen Wald, umgeben von grünen Palmen.

Our recipe for good cooperation

Regardless of which of our products is involved, the well-being of the local people is always a key concern for us. That's why we are constantly thinking about how we can create pleasant working conditions in the country and especially at the locations where we work. For conditions in which it is good to live and work. For example, we provide safe transportation for our employees, offer them hot meals every day and have set up a preschool for employees' children to promote education and make family and work compatible.

Because at the core of our philosophy is the conviction that sustainable progress is primarily based on care and responsibility. And that we should not only improve our products, but also the lives of the people who make them.

Your grandiose pleasure with good knowledge

You are what you eat. So it's only logical for us to show you how and where your snacks are made. But enough talk, where are the stars? Grab your choice walnuts from the most spectacular landscapes and taste the chilled side of Chile. Guaranteed from a good home and raised with love. <3