Admittedly, it is kind of a weird name at first glance. So, why Sirene?
The name is all about learning. About variety. About discovery. About what the world can show us.
The Sirens were characters in Homer's Odyssey. They were women whose voices were so alluring to passing ships that they were irresistible. First mentioned in his tale 2,800 years ago, the Sirens have most often been depicted as voluptuous maidens luring men with their sex appeal. As the trite saying goes, sex sells, and it is for that very reason they are usually shown that way-- but that is not what Homer intended. Likewise, sex appeal is not what inspired our name.
The (abbreviated) quote that inspired the name and our company goals is:
"Come here, and listen to our voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song - and whoever listens will go on their way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all, and we can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.” The Odyssey, Book XII 186-190
What they were offering humans was the seduction their minds offered, not the seduction of their bodies—specifically their knowledge of all aspects of the world.
This is what I wanted Sirene to do--give a different way of looking at chocolate. Both discovering the wide variety of flavours cocoa beans offer, but also the way a business can be run.
In discussion a little while ago with Dr. Matthew Ward, a Fellow in Classics at Cambridge University, Dr. Ward pointed out the inherent ambiguity of the Sirens: Do they offer help for passing sailors or are they dangerous? Depending on who you read, and how you personally interpret them this answer is different. I love that. Just as chocolate is both incredibly healthy (Google current research into the health benefits of chocolate) there is no doubt that overconsumption can also cause problems. How you personally interact with it defines how your body reacts to it-eat too much and you gain weight, eat a little and it is fine. At the end of the day, it is up to you.
Written in about the 8th century BC, the Odyssey is considered to be the second oldest piece of Western literature (after the Odyssey's prequel The Illiad). At a sprightly 2,800 years old, it is dusty and hard to read at times, sure, but it also shows us a fundamental part of humanity. Something that existed then, and it exists now in human nature: a curiosity to learn more about this world we all live in. A world that we all view slightly differently, so we all live in a slightly different world.
So many of us have had Chocolate around us our entire lives. Then at one point we discovered bean to bear chocolate (or craft chocolate, or small batch chocolate, or whatever you want to call it) and its incredible variety. This variability in single origin chocolate has an ability to surprise us even though we think we already know so much about our old familiar friend Chocolate. Thankfully there is still a lot we can learn about it. There are the continual flavour surprises that different farms' beans can give us, or the same farm's beans but from a different harvest, or cultural discoveries about the people who have used chocolate through the centuries, flavour combinations that work (and sometimes don't), and more.
At Sirene we hope to help you with that discovery by showing you various flavourful beans, telling you stories about the humans that cultivate them, and periodically making chocolate from new farms' beans.
Enjoy.
That is at the heart of all of this: enjoying chocolate.
Have fun on this discovery path. It is chocolate after all, a treat that hopefully will give you a smile. The post-Homer humans reinterpreting the Sirens into sensual beings is appropriate in this case because chocolate is enjoyed sensually. Smelling, tasting, feeling, smiling. Enjoying.
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The Enigmatic Allure of Sirene: More Than Just a Name
At first glance, "Sirene" might seem like an unconventional choice for a chocolate company. So, let's delve into the story behind our name and what it truly represents. It's a name deeply rooted in the spirit of learning, the celebration of variety, the thrill of discovery, and a profound respect for the world around us.
Our inspiration comes from the captivating figures in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. For nearly three millennia, the Sirens have echoed through literature, often portrayed as alluring figures whose irresistible songs lured passing sailors to their doom. While popular culture frequently depicts them as symbols of sensual temptation, this interpretation veils the deeper meaning Homer intended. It's not the allure of the body, but the irresistible draw of knowledge that truly defined the Sirens.
The passage that resonated most profoundly with us, and which now guides our company ethos, reads:
"Come here, and listen to our voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song - and whoever listens will go on their way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all, and we can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.” - The Odyssey, Book XII 186-190
The Sirens offered a different kind of seduction – the enticement of the mind, the promise of profound understanding about the world. This is the very essence of what we aspire to achieve at Sirene: to offer a new perspective on chocolate. We aim to unlock the vast spectrum of flavours inherent in different cocoa beans and to explore innovative and ethical ways of conducting our business.
Interestingly, as Dr. Matthew Ward, a Fellow in Classics at Cambridge University, recently pointed out, the Sirens themselves embody a fascinating ambiguity. Are they benevolent guides offering wisdom, or dangerous entities leading sailors astray? The answer, much like our individual experiences with the world, can vary depending on interpretation. This duality resonates with our understanding of chocolate. While current research increasingly highlights its potential health benefits, moderation remains key. Ultimately, our personal relationship with chocolate shapes its impact on our well-being.
Written in the 8th century BC, The Odyssey, a cornerstone of Western literature, endures as a testament to fundamental aspects of human nature. Across the ages, a core human trait persists: the insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world we inhabit. It's a world we each perceive slightly differently, creating our own unique realities.
Many of us have grown up with chocolate as a familiar presence. Then comes a moment of revelation – the discovery of bean-to-bar chocolate, craft chocolate, small-batch chocolate – and the astonishing variety it unveils. The nuanced flavour profiles of single-origin chocolates possess an uncanny ability to surprise and delight, even with something as seemingly familiar as chocolate. Thankfully, the journey of discovery is far from over. We continue to be amazed by the diverse flavours from different farms, the subtle shifts within a single farm's harvests, the rich cultural history of chocolate across civilizations, the fascinating interplay of flavour combinations, and so much more.
At Sirene, we aspire to be your guide on this exciting exploration. We are committed to showcasing the diverse and captivating flavours of exceptional cocoa beans, sharing the stories of the dedicated individuals who cultivate them, and continually introducing you to remarkable new origins.
Ultimately, at the heart of it all lies enjoyment. We invite you to embark on this path of discovery with us, embracing the pleasure that fine chocolate offers. It is, after all, a treat intended to bring a smile to your face. The later interpretations of the Sirens as sensual beings, while not Homer's original intent, feel fitting in this context. Because the experience of fine chocolate is undeniably sensual – the aroma, the taste, the texture, the feeling it evokes. It is about savouring, appreciating, and ultimately, enjoying.