A Swiss-Ghanaian startup, Koa, has introduced its first ready-to-drink cocoa fruit juice – Koa Natural – onto the Ghana and West African markets.
The product, called Koa Natural, is an all-natural juice produced from the white, fleshy part that surrounds the cocoa bean.
“Through innovative technology, Koa has developed a unique, healthy and natural fruit juice with impact at its heart,” it noted in a press release copied to Cocoa Post.
The fresh juice is gently processed, with no added sugars, sweeteners or additives, to preserve the authentic natural sweet taste of the cocoa fruit.
According to the company, its newest addition to the Ghanaian market provides a fresh taste from cocoa and naturally contains potassium and magnesium.
These minerals have health benefits such as regulating the heartbeat, ensuring proper function of the muscles and nerves, and are vital for synthesising protein and metabolising carbohydrates.
“Koa Natural is a versatile product. The smooth texture and tropical flavour is great on its own, and it is also an exciting ingredient for cocktails, mocktails or even savoury foods,” Koa noted.
According to Koa, since its inception, it has collaborated with numerous local and international chefs as well as the international food and beverage industry, to develop recipes that enhance the salty, sweet and beverage applications of the juice.
As Koa Natural is produced from previously unused cocoa fruit pulp, the juice processing provides an extra income to Ghana’s cocoa farmers due to the additional product created from the cocoa pod.
At the same time, Koa’s processing facility creates local jobs in Ghana’s cocoa-growing regions,
contributing to the economy and responsible growth in cocoa communities.
“Thanks to the use of the white cocoa pulp, Koa creates additional income for cocoa smallholders and new jobs in the cocoa-growing communities,” the company said.
Last year, Koa commenced construction work on Africa’s biggest cocoa upcycling factory after securing $10 million in growth capital to accelerate its disruptive business.
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