Our history
OUR STORY
EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY
It was in 2008 that Jean-Marius RAAPOTO and his wife Catherine Ahutiare SANFORD RAAPOTO embarked on the project to develop the family lands they own on the island of Niau. The idea is to develop on the property of this small Tuamotu atoll an activity respectful of the environment, healthy and high quality products.
THIS COUNTRY, I BELIEVE
Jean Marius Raapoto, PhD in Polynesian Language Science, former school director and former Minister of Education, has always wanted to put words into action. It is indeed with his brother Turo, linguist, writer and theologian, and the Tahitian poet Henri Hiro that Jean Marius Raapoto has endeavored to put the Polynesian at the center of his culture. As they liked to say "It's up to us to write our story and nobody else" hence the motto of Jean Marius Raapoto "This country I believe in it" that we find a little everywhere on the property.
If this project is part of a personal approach, the will of Mr. and Mrs. Raapoto is also to make known the hidden treasures and specificities of the atoll, to go beyond the production of me too products that are already found in other islands and Tahiti:
COCONUT OIL
AN EVIDENCE
The idea of starting with virgin coconut oil is quickly obvious because Jean-Marius RAAPOTO and his wife Catherine Ahutiare SANFORD RAAPOTO are aware that the product is experiencing increasing success worldwide and are astonished as others. French Polynesia produces almost none. In fact, for a century, all Polynesian copra (dried coconut from which crude oil is extracted), is locally used by manufacturers of Monoi de Tahiti or 95% exported in the form of crude oil for export for the food and industries.
OBJECTIVE
AN OIL WITH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES
In the spirit of the founders, the characteristic smell of this virgin coconut oil is reminiscent of the sweet scent of its native land, NIAU. Its qualities must be exceptional in terms of purity, taste and texture ... in order to stand out from other locally produced or internationally available coconut oils.
THE TREE OF LIFE
THE COCONUT TREE
The coconut tree is considered in all tropical countries as "the tree of life" because of the multiple uses of the whole part of the plant (nuts, trunk, palms ...). Its fruit has many nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic virtues.
The atoll of Niau as all the islands of French Polynesia are mainly covered with coconut trees, coconut plantations established in the last century to supply the developed countries with vegetable fat and oil.
Virgin coconut oil is not derived from copra, but from cold pressed fresh coconut grater. This gentler method helps to respect the fruit, extract more active ingredients while preserving texture and the exceptional organoleptic qualities of Niau coconut trees.
THE BEGINNINGS
In 2014 through the creation of the IA HOTU E IA HEEURI TO U FENUA O NIAU association (that my island, Niau, is green and fertile) the project takes shape. Production of Virgin Coconut Oil begins. They use at the start of conventional methods of decantation that do not provide complete satisfaction because they do not present enough guarantees for a product of exception (purity, taste, texture, ...) and a difficulty of reproducibility.
Another method called centrifugation, more complex and requiring high-precision equipment not available in Polynesia, is retained with the help of specialists, laboratory technicians and support services and financial assistance of the local government. This new process produces a pure, silky oil with a light scent of fresh coconut, which is ideal for therapeutic, nutritional and cosmetic use. Another advantage, the oxidation is very low and present in the tests performed in international specialized laboratories, results nearly twice higher than conventional olive oils. The production of extra virgin coconut oil starts with a few liters, hence the nickname "Niau white gold". The promotion is done by word of mouth and door to door. The first bottles of extra virgin coconut oil are born.
BUILDING IN NIAU
AN AMAZING BRAKE
In parallel, it takes five years to imagine and build a base of life and production unit modern and autonomous, because the 96 acres of the coconut grove and fare hinu (oil production laboratory) are the opposite of the village . If building in an island such as Tahiti is already complex, build on an atoll that does not have a port but a simple dock served by two schooners is a bold bet and risky.
It's in 2017 that everything is accelerating. Galvanized by the positive feedback from consumers, the association is committed to a new dynamic and is noted by the media and distribution through its product and its unique approach.
THE EXCELLENCE OF THE PRODUCT
The extra virgin coconut oil produced in Niau is different, special and surprising to users and consumers the most knowledgeable (see reviews and testimonials). This quality allows the brand to quickly build a strong reputation in the local market and beyond borders. Its qualities make it possible to reach and meet the expectations of a wide range of consumers (health, sports, cooking, beauty and well-being).
THE TRIPLE CERTIFICATION
Bio certification includes all the steps and not as we often imagine the only finished product. Certification includes the entire coconut plantation, production of extra virgin coconut oil and finally the entire range of finished products (bottles, jars ...). This certification not only reinforces the "Organic" characteristics of the products, but also contributes to guaranteeing the origin, through a traceability and quality that reassures consumers. This approach makes it possible to convince the distribution and laboratories too often faced with a lack of traceability of virgin coconut oils
Bio certification includes all the steps and not as we often imagine the only finished product. Certification includes the entire coconut plantation, production of extra virgin coconut oil and finally the entire range of finished products (bottles, jars ...). This certification not only reinforces the "Organic" characteristics of the products, but also contributes to guaranteeing the origin, through a traceability and quality that reassures consumers. This approach makes it possible to convince the distribution and laboratories too often faced with a lack of traceability of virgin coconut oils
The creation of this organization demonstrates that excellence can be achieved in a small island isolated from Tuamotu.
AN EVOLUTION THAT MEETS CONSUMER NEEDS
At the end of 2017, three bottles were introduced on the market. These first references are addressed as desired by Mr. and Mrs. Raapoto to people concerned about their health and extra virgin organic coconut oil is marketed under the use “food supplements” and “cooking”. In early 2018 a spray bottle offered a feminine cosmetic use for body, face and hair. Mid 2019 a jar completed the range and meets consumer demand when coconut oil naturally freeze below 75°F.