Cocoa Rub Blend

A “rub” in cooking refers to a dry blend of spices, herbs, salt, sugar, and possibly other aromatic ingredients, designed to be rubbed onto meat before cooking. Rubs are used to flavour meat, especially for grilling and barbecuing. By applying them evenly over the surface of the meat, the spices in the rub form a flavourful crust during cooking, creating a richly flavoured outer layer.

The ingredients of a rub vary significantly according to culinary preference, but they can include pepper, paprika, salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, and other spices. Some rubs may also contain more specific elements, such as ground coffee, cocoa, or freshly chopped herbs. Rubs are commonly used to prepare meats like pork, beef, chicken, and lamb, adding a distinctive flavour dimension to the cooking process.

Our Cacao Rub is an original spicy blend that highlights cacao cultivated by Cambodian farmers in the Mondulkiri province. These farmers have established a dedicated cooperative, allowing them to oversee every step, from fermentation to drying the cacao beans on-site. Once harvested, the beans are transported to a chocolate factory in Siem Reap, where they are meticulously roasted, cracked, winnowed, and finally ground to obtain cacao of exceptional quality.

This meticulous production process ensures not only the quality of the cacao but also a positive social impact, supporting local farmers and promoting sustainability. Our Cacao Rub stands out due to this unique alliance between ethical cacao, carefully selected spices, and environmentally respectful production.

Our rubs contain essential ingredients:

• Salt: For flavour and to tenderise meats, fish, vegetables, and tofu.
• Palm Sugar: To balance the salt and add sweetness.
• Garlic and Onion or Shallot: For their flavour.
• Kampot Pepper: For its flavour and spiciness.

Other spices that make up our Cacao Rub include our Cambodian Paprika, Smoked Cassia Cinnamon, Red Long Pepper, and Smoked Bird’s Eye Chilli. These ingredients give each rub its unique aromatic identity.

The use of our Cacao Rub blends the exotic aromas of cacao with the vibrancy of spices for an unparalleled depth of flavour. This bold fusion offers a genuine invitation to explore new culinary horizons.

This original blend will elevate various meats, such as pork (ribs or chops), beef, or lamb (shoulder), giving them an exotic and warm touch. It will also enhance your vegetarian dishes, harmoniously combining flavours with vegetables such as aubergines, peppers, potatoes, or sweet potatoes. Try it with cashew nuts for a gourmet and spicy snack.

For an even richer experience, pair the Cacao Rub with sweet and savoury dishes by incorporating it into a marinade for grilled chicken or lightly sprinkling it on roasted fruits such as bananas or mangoes. In desserts, use it to enhance recipes for brownies, chocolate truffles, or ice cream, adding an unexpected and delightfully surprising dimension to your sweet creations. Unleash your creativity and discover the infinite possibilities offered by our Cacao Rub.

A new design has been specially created for our tubes, featuring labels that incorporate the colour codes of each Rub while highlighting the ingredients and recipe ideas. As beautiful to look at as it is practical to use, La Plantation’s packaging is food-certified, allowing you to easily pour the contents of the sachet into the cardboard cylinder of the tube. This ingenious approach ensures optimal protection against light and humidity, thus preserving the freshness and integrity of the aromas of our Cacao Rub.

The tube is hermetically sealed to guarantee optimal preservation. To extend the shelf life of your Cacao Rub, be sure to carefully reseal the tube after each use and store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.