FAQS

Are Islands Chocolate products vegan-friendly?

All of our dark chocolate products are plant-based and vegan friendly. The only Islands Chocolate product that contains an animal derivative is our 55% Milk Chocolate as this contains a whole milk powder (dairy). The chocolate factory handles milk and eggs so all of our products come with a ‘may contain traces or milk and eggs’ note.

Does your chocolate contain nuts?

The only Islands Chocolate product which contains nuts is our Chocolate & Hazelnut Spread. Whilst our other products do not contain nuts, they are made in a factory which handles nuts so we cannot guarantee the chocolates are free of nut traces. Due to the nature of the factory and the variety of nut products handled, we cannot list the types of tree nuts which may or may not be handled in the facility. Peanuts are NOT handled at the factory and are therefore not listed on our ‘may contain traces’ warning.

Is your chocolate gluten-free?

Our products do not contain gluten but are made in a factory which handles gluten products and come with a ‘may contain traces of gluten’ allergen statement.

Is chocolate really that good for you?

Cacao is a superfood. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals – so we keep the cocoa content high (above 72%) in our chocolate bars.  But like all foods, eat in moderation.  

Is it cacao or cocoa?

Cocoa is also known as ‘cacao’, which comes from the tree’s official name: Theobroma Cacao (meaning ‘food of the gods’). Most chocolatiers refer to it as ‘cacao’ in its raw form, before it is fermented and dried to produce ‘cocoa’.  

Does Islands 100% chocolate contain sugar?

No, none. The intricate cocoa flavours in our chocolate is so intense, there is no need for any sugar.   

Are you organic?

We are not officially organic-certified. We use fertiliser in the early years, until the cacao tree grows into a mature tree. Once the canopy tree has developed and there is shade cover, we are organic from that point onwards. We use no sprays. If we could find a way to be fully organic, we would. However, as farmers ourselves, we have to think financially and have not yet found a way to yield good crop without adding the fertiliser in the first stages. Please do let us know if you have any suggestions, as we are always looking for ways to become more planet-friendly.  

Is your packaging recyclable?

We are in the process of changing our packaging materials for our chocolate buttons in order to make them either home compostable OR fully recyclable. Our current Chocolate Button packaging is technically Type 7 recyclable, but unfortunately cannot yet be recycled in the UK due to a lack of facilities. The packaging needs to have a protective metalised inner layer to prevent fluctuations in temperature from damaging the chocolate which is why finding a truly recyclable option has proved difficult until recent advancements. We look forward sharing details of this change in the near future!

Where is your cocoa grown?

We grow our cocoa on our family-run farms in St Vincent and the Grenadines. We turn it into chocolate on those same islands. After all, we like to see the whole process through from seed to bar – and we believe the people who grow the cacao are best-placed to transform it into the finest chocolate.   

How much is delivery?

Orders over £20 qualify for free delivery. Orders below this amount will cost £4.

What does seed to bar chocolate actually mean?

Most chocolate companies buy ready-made chocolate in sacks of buttons and reform into their own branded bars. Some import cocoa beans and turn it into their own branded chocolate – the ‘bean-to-bar’ process. A tiny minority grow the cocoa trees themselves. However, we go further than this - because we transform the beans into chocolate at origin. Our chocolate bars only leave the Islands once they’re ready for you. That way, we can ensure that our chocolate is exactly as it should be – and made as sustainably as possible, ensuring the maximum added value takes place on the Island. 

Is your chocolate Fairtrade-certified?

Our chocolate is not Fairtrade-certified, but that’s not because we don’t believe in Fairtrade. We absolutely do. The reason is that we grow and make our sustainable chocolate on our own family-run farms, so we’re on the ground – not importing cocoa from somewhere. As a family-run business, we’re completely committed to paying our farmers far more than the market rate, providing jobs to islanders, making the process as sustainable as possible and ensuring our seed-to-bar chocolate continues to benefit the wider community on St.Vincent and the Grenadines.  

What should I pay for good chocolate?

For us, this comes back to our motto: ‘think beyond the bar’. If you’re paying a proper price for a bar of chocolate, it usually means that the farmers are being paid a proper sum for their cocoa. And trading fairly is what we’re all about. When it comes to Islands Chocolate, we pay our farmers a premium not just because we know their beans are superb quality, but also because we want to make sure our farmers are properly supported and that they have a truly sustainable income.  

Got a question not answered here? Please contact us and a member of our team will personally answer it for you as soon as possible.

Contact us at info@islandschocolate.com