Manufacturer of organic drinking chocolates, chai specialities and beverage powders made from natural cocoa, with own production in Stephanskirchen (Bavaria).
Pit Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG
Stephanskirchen (Bavaria)New on Amplifa
About Becks cocoa™
Pit Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG produces and markets cocoa specialities under the Becks cocoa™ brand: around 20 drinking chocolate varieties and single-origin especials made from non-alkalised organic natural cocoa, as well as chai specialities based on Indian black tea and spices. The cocoa beans come from direct partnerships with cooperatives in origin countries such as Madagascar, Uganda, São Tomé, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador and Vietnam and are processed in Stephanskirchen (Bavaria). The value chain includes mixing, granulation, tableting, coating, dragée coating and the filling of push-through capsules (including for dietary supplements) as well as packaging in tins, stand-up pouches, sachets, blisters and boxes. The range extends from 25 g tasting sachets and 250 g tins to bulk sizes of 1.2–1.5 kg for gastronomy and hotels; the company also offers recipe and product development. Distribution in Germany is handled exclusively via the Süßwaren Albrecht Handelsagentur, while the company handles foreign enquiries directly.
- Site
- Stephanskirchen
- Processes
- Mixing (blended production), Granulation, Tableting, Coating, Dragée coating (sugar-coating), Filling of push-through capsules, Packaging in tins, Packaging in bags
- Materials
- Cocoa (organic cocoa beans / fine-flavour cocoa, non-alkalised), Cane sugar (organic/Fairtrade), Coconut blossom sugar/nectar, Milk and whey powder, Indian black tea, Vanilla (Bourbon vanilla), Ginger, Arabica coffee
- Certificates
- IFS Food Version 8 (Higher Level, 96.22 %, IFS Star), Fairtrade (trader), EU organic certificate (DE-ÖKO-001), IFS Food V8 (Higher Level, 96.22 %, IFS Star), EU Organic (DE-ÖKO-001), Fairtrade (trader, FLO ID 31042)
- Industries
- Food/Confectionery, Cocoa/Drinking chocolate, Gastronomy and hotels, Specialty retail (confectionery, organic food stores, delicatessen)
- 01
Sourcing of organic cocoa beans directly from countries of origin
- 02
Fermentation and roasting or gentle processing on site in Bavaria
- 03
Mixing, granulation, tableting, coating, dragée coating
- 04
Filling (including push-through capsules)
- 05
Packaging in tins, bags, blisters and boxes
- 06
Distribution via trading partners and direct sales
Raw Materials & Processes
Non-alkalised organic fine-flavour cocoa
The basis of all drinking chocolates; remains natural after fermentation and roasting, fat content 14–16 %.
Organic/Fairtrade cane sugar
Sweetening component of most cocoa specialities.
Coconut blossom sugar/nectar
Alternative sweetener in selected varieties.
Indian black tea
Base of the chai specialities (masala chai).
Vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, chilli and more
Carefully balanced ingredients to accentuate the cocoa character.
Oat milk powder
For vegan gastronomy variants such as Om Chai Vegan.
Locations
Stephanskirchen
DEProduction and distribution
- Materials
- Cocoa, cane sugar, spices, black tea
- Systems for mixing, granulation, tableting, coating, dragée coating
- Filling systems for push-through capsules
- Packaging systems for tins, bags, blisters, FlipTop boxes, roll/strip packs, folding cartons
- Own solar installations (green power supply)
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixing (blended production)Other | – | – | – | – | Sugar confectionery, Confectionery based on sugars and sugar substitutes, Beverage powders, Milk and whey powder, Dessert powder, Sweeteners, Dietary supplements, Table/seasoning salt, Cocoa, Cane sugar |
| GranulationOther | – | – | – | – | Sugar confectionery, Beverage powders, Cocoa, Cane sugar |
| TabletingOther | – | – | – | – | Confectionery, Dietary supplements, Beverage powders |
| CoatingOther | – | – | – | – | Confectionery, Sugar confectionery |
| Dragée coating (sugar-coating)Other | – | – | – | – | Confectionery, Sugar confectionery |
| Filling of push-through capsulesOther | – | – | – | – | Dietary supplements |
| Packaging in tinsAssembly | – | – | – | – | Tinplate cans (100 % recyclable), metal tins 250 g, 1,200 g, |
| Packaging in bagsAssembly | – | – | – | – | Stand-up pouches 100–125 g, tasting sachets 25 g, zip bags |
| Packaging in blisters, FlipTop boxes, roll and strip packs, folding cartonsAssembly | – | – | – | – | Beverage powders, Confectionery, Dietary supplements |
| Manufacture of drinking chocolates/beverage powders (organic production, processing)Other | – | – | – | – | Cocoa (natural cocoa, non-alkalised), Cane sugar, Coconut blossom sugar, Spices, Vanilla, Ginger, Coffee, Cocoa content 14–16 % fat content |
| Roasting and fermentation of cocoa beans (processing on site in Bavaria)Other | – | – | – | – | Cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone, |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging systems for tins, bags, blisters, FlipTop boxes, roll/strip packs, | – | – | – | – | Stephanskirchen |
| Systems for mixing, granulation, tableting, coating, dragée coating, filling of push-through | – | – | – | – | Stephanskirchen |
| Solar installations (energy supply for production) | – | – | – | – | Stephanskirchen |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Certification
Production in Stephanskirchen is certified to IFS Food Version 8 (Higher Level, 96.22 %, IFS Star Status from an unannounced audit); in addition, there is an EU organic certificate (DE-ÖKO-001, Kiwa BCS) and Fairtrade certification as a trader (FLO ID 31042). External certification bodies regularly review the standards.
| Evidence | Stephanskirchen |
|---|---|
| IFS Food V8 (Higher Level, 96.22 %, IFS Star) | |
| EU Organic (DE-ÖKO-001) | |
| Fairtrade (trader, FLO ID 31042) |
History
- ca. 2001
Foundation of Becks cocoa™ by Michael Beck with cocoa compositions from his home kitchen.
- 2023
Presentation of the Especial No 9 Single Origin from Madagascar.
- 2024/2025
Market launch of the novelty Garden Eden for the winter season.
- 2026
Switch to non-alkalised natural cocoa (fat content 14–16 %), own natural cocoa labelling, waiving of the Fairtrade seal on many products; planned novelty Especial No. 9 Madagascar from autumn 2026.