Upmarket department store Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, London, launches 99% emission free ‘Sailboat Chocolate’.
Naturally grown and certified organic Sailboat Chocolate is 99% emission-free. It is produced in the Caribbean by a ‘Farm to Store’ craft chocolate maker.
Shipping is responsible for around 2.5% of global carbon emissions. Fortnum & Mason are working to create long-lasting, sustainable change by transporting this chocolate from the Caribbean to Piccadilly using sailboat, electric van and on a horse and cart! emitting minimal emissions as possible.
The reason why it’s not 100% emission free is because, by law, ships need to carry marine diesel petrol in the event of an emergency.
Sailboat Chocolate originates from the Caribbean island of Grenada, by Grenada Chocolate Company.
The beans are processed in a solar powered factory. Cocoa beans are normally shipped globally to be made into chocolate, but Grenada Chocolate Company uses zero emissions to craft their chocolate and beans that are fresh, rather than months or even years old.
The chocolate sailed from Grenada to Den Helder in the Netherlands, but its days at sea were not over yet. Once it had reached Den Helder it began its second voyage on T/S Britta, with Silvery Light Sailing, to Carlingford Lough in Ireland.
Once the chocolate was in Ireland it began its journey to NearyNógs on the Mourne Coast – one of the oldest chocolate makers in Ireland. A team of volunteers transported the chocolate to Killoween, on the Mourne Mountains shoreline, using traditional Drontheim rowing boats.
From the shoreline, it rode on horse and cart across 5.9 miles to NearyNógs. As Ireland’s first bean to bar chocolate makers, NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers craft confectionery in their solar-powered factory. The Chocolate was broken down into slates, tempered and packaged in recyclable, biodegradable packaging before the final leg to Piccadilly.
Once packaged, it began its return journey by horse and cart on its way to Rostrevor. It was then transported from the Mourne Mountains shoreline, once again, by volunteers in Drontheim rowing boats headed in the direction of Carlingford Lough. Here it was met by sailing boat, Klevia,which is powered by wind to Port Penrhyn, in Bangor, North Wales.
As the final leg of this sustainable journey Fortnum & Mason electric vans deliver the ‘Sailboat Chocolate’ to the Piccadilly store
Sailboat Chocolate is exclusive and available in Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly or online from 29 October. Three 60g pouches is priced at £24.95, making it, alas, outside the Bartalks tea room budget. Watch the short video story below.
