The fuseproject team always has its hands in many pots, one reason they stay creative.
In their latest newsletter they highlight a contribution for Design for a Living World exhibit currently showing at Field Museum in Chicago (until November 13, 2011).
Designed for The Nature Conservancy, Talamanca Cocoa is one of the 11 projects featured.
I like it for its practical, simple, grounded approach.
What guided creation of Talamanca Cacao:
"In Costa Rica, the Bribri women of Talamanca are making organic cacao and chocolate. Unlike monoculture farming, their cacao plants grow in the natural ecosystem, surrounded within rich biodiversity, and conserve the nature and land they inhabit… As their cocoa farms expand, so does the conservation of native rainforest. Their main product is ground cacao patties, which capture the essence of their production. Hockey-puck in size and formed by hand, they are %100 cacao – no sugar added – and the only ingredient needed to make the wonderful hot cacao drink."
The tool is custom built to grate the cacao and then to be used to stir the hot cocoa drink. A built-in hook allows the tool to hang on the rim of a mug before and after use, and it self-cleans as it brews.
Practically green way to a great hot chocolate for Green Day #177
Previously: Kimchi, Krauts and Kombucha, Fermentation Festival, Sonoma County, May 21st
(* Image from the pages of Dezeen online design magazine)