De Bonte Koe Chocolade is the first Dutch chocolatier to release three chocolate bars containing mushrooms. Each bar contains a different type of mushroom. While these aren't psychedelic mushrooms, the beneficial effects of each are known. The wrappers were designed by emerging designer, artist, and musician Bob Mollema.
Bob Mollema's driving force, both personally and professionally, is his desire to restore the healthy relationship between nature and humanity. Based on this philosophy, De Bonte Koe, together with Bob Mollema, developed these bars. The mushrooms used are lion's mane (Lion's Mane), reishi (Lingery), and cordyceps (Imperial Mushroom).
These are 100-gram bars. De Bonte Koe uses cocoa from Grupo Conacado Cooperative in the Dominican Republic. All ingredients are certified organic. The three mushrooms used have been extensively studied and tested and contain compounds that can combat stress, anxiety, and fatigue, without the mushrooms having a psychedelic effect.
Lion's mane can also improve concentration. Buddhist monks use this mushroom to increase their focus. The wrapper, designed by Bob Mollema, depicts a person, deeply focused, holding a snake. The product title of this bar is "Lion's mane (focus)." The chocolate in this bar is vegan 55% dark chocolate.
Reishi, in particular, has been shown to have a calming effect and promote good sleep. The wrapper, designed by Bob Mollema, features a relaxed crocodile and bears the product title "Reishi (calming)." The chocolate in this bar is 48% vegan milk chocolate.
Cordyceps can be especially beneficial for improving physical performance. This mushroom can boost energy levels. Bob Mollema depicts an energetic wolf on the wrapper. The product title of this bar is "Cordyceps (perform)." The chocolate in this bar is vegan 80% dark chocolate.
Bob Mollema (Bennekom, 1990) works as an illustrator for newspapers such as De Volkskrant and (in Belgium) De Standaard. He recently designed the cover of the VPRO Gids. As a graphic designer, he has worked for the sporty fashion brand Volcom, the trendy Amsterdam fashion brand Bonne Suits, the department store De Bijenkorf, the pop music venue Paradiso, and Brouwerij 't IJ. De Bonte Koe is the first chocolate brand Bob Mollema has worked for.
On Thursday evening, April 13, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the bars will be officially launched in the presence of Bob Mollema at the main De Bonte Koe location at Lange Haven 54 in Schiedam. An exhibition featuring Mollema's artwork will also open at the Lange Haven location. This exhibition will be on display for two weeks.
About De Bonte Koe – Chocolate from a good home
De Bonte Koe was founded in 1992 out of a love for chocolate. Carmel Klein Kelly, originally from Ireland, and her brother-in-law Cees Klein started a chocolate workshop on Lange Haven in Schiedam. The second generation, brother and sister Connor and Amy Klein, continue the business. The company is known for its high-quality chocolate made with ethically sourced ingredients.
In addition to the store at Lange Haven 54 in Schiedam (where the various artisanal chocolate products for all locations are handcrafted), there are stores in The Hague (Korte Poten 57 and Piet Heinstraat 59A) and Rotterdam (Lusthofstraat 33A and Nieuwe Binnenweg 112). The company also has a chocolate vending machine at Hoogstraat 69 in Schiedam.