Chocolate Documentary

Frederick's spicy hot cocoa ritual

Frederick makes spicy hot cocoa from scratch… daily.  Now this is a habit I can get into.

Fortunately, we arrived at his home exactly at cocoa time.  “Oh!  You have to try this one… this is a great batch.  It’s got a kick,” he said.  Um… yes please.

I may have licked the mug clean.  I’m just sayin’.

Frederick’s recipe:

• Cacao powder (to taste)
• A little bit of unsweetened chocolate (to taste, for a bottom-end kick)
• Palm sugar
• Spices to taste (fresh nutmeg and a little allspice)
• A little sea salt
• Cayenne pepper
  

  Spicy hot cocoa - Ashland, OR

Alex & Frederick, playing - Ashland, OR

We set out after dark for a late-night drive to Ashland and — despite a fair amount of fatigue — all four of us were wired and chatty the whole ride.  OK, most of it.  Alright, I totally passed out after the Oregon border.  But for the first five hours, Alex, Justine, Danny and I had so much to talk about.  We finally had time to meet, uninterrupted.  It was the most productive road trip, only to be outdone by our drive home.

In the morning, Frederick welcomed us into his home for a day of interviewing and visiting.  The space felt like a zen sanctuary.  Quiet, warm, comfortable, calm.

We talked about the progress of the factory, his hopes for the company, his relationships with Diego and Chloé, and his ever-changing travel plans.  Justine and Alex lead most of the interviews, Danny and I threw in a few questions here and there.

Alex, Danny, Frederick & Justine, winding down - Ashland, OR