Cocoa from Malabog Theo & Philo works with cocoa from the barangay Malabog, a community of about 11.000 inhabitants, which is part of Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines by area. Everything in Davao City is low-rise and very green, sprawling in hill country. There are many small cocoa farmers in Malabog. Growing conditions are perfect. In 2019, for example, Nong Joe won, out of 226 participants from 55 countries the prize for the best cocoa beans of the world in the International Cocoa Awards (ICA). Philo Chua sources the cocoa, in collaboration with the organisation Gawad Kalinga, from a group of farmers. Gawad Kalinga helps people out of poverty. (Barangay is the smallest political administrative unit in the Philippines.)
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Cocoa from Malabog Theo & Philo works with cocoa from the barangay Malabog, a community of about 11.000 inhabitants, which is part of Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines by area. Everything in Davao City is low-rise and very green, sprawling in hill country. There are many small cocoa farmers in Malabog. Growing conditions are perfect. In 2019, for example, Nong Joe won, out of 226 participants from 55 countries the prize for the best cocoa beans of the world in the International Cocoa Awards (ICA). Philo Chua sources the cocoa, in collaboration with the organisation Gawad Kalinga, from a group of farmers. Gawad Kalinga helps people out of poverty. (Barangay is the smallest political administrative unit in the Philippines.)
Les merDefinite creates flavoured bars with natural and locally sourced Dominican ingredients, to bring you a special Caribbean experience. Eat good chocolate, close your eyes, and you are on a journey through the different regions of the Dominican Republic. The organic cocoa for this bar is grown in Finca Elvesia (Hato Mayor Province). The farm is set among rolling hills, far from the busy beaches and resorts. Located in the agricultural community of El Valle, it covers over 150 hectares of productive land. Finca Elvesia is considered one of the most exceptional farms in the Dominican Republic, not without reason. Amongst other things, it boasts a large collection of cocoa varieties, which reached the Dominican Republic mainly from Venezuela starting in the middle of the 17th century. Visiting Finca Elvesia farm feels like entering another universe – a peaceful cosmos of cocoa trees that sprout red, orange, yellow and green pods of all shapes and sizes. Over the years, the farm has changed ownership several times. Today it is run by Ramon Lopez. Ramon grew up in El Cibao, the heart of the Dominican cocoa sector. He is assisted by Isidro Castillo and employs around thirtyfive people. The Dominican rum included in this bar is from Barceló.
Les merNotes of gianduja and barley malt open as delicately as the blossoms of rare cocoa and almond trees growing for this Arriba chocolate. A deliciously creamy alternative to milk chocolate, based on almond proteins. One bar – One tree: for each bar of chocolate, one tree is planted. Blossoms of Arriba cocoa and Guara almond await an insect’s touch. It takes a hundred delicate blossoms to make this bar of chocolate. Your purchase of delicate Esmeraldas 50% maintains such botany in Ecuador’s last cloud forests.
Les merMenakao, deeply rooted in local production, operates from its chocolate factory in Ambohidratrimo, near Antananarivo, Madagascar. This factory is distinctive for transforming Grand Cru beans, exclusively sourced from Madagascar, into 100% Malagasy chocolate bars. Fine Malagasy Cocoa: Madagascar chocolate is renowned for its unique floral notes, a touch of acidity, and a slightly astringent finish, making it an exceptional cocoa recognized globally. Since 2016, it has been labeled as "Fine Cocoa" by the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), ranking it among the world's best. Ethically Committed Brand: Menakao's approach of processing cocoa beans locally into chocolate helps shorten the intermediary chain, contributing to Madagascar's economic development. This initiative ensures that the country not only produces cocoa beans but also benefits from the value-added processing industry, leading to more equitable income distribution. Quality and Traceability: Working closely with five plantations, Menakao ensures the quality and traceability of each cocoa batch received and processed. Regular visits to their partners allow them to monitor the quality of the beans throughout every stage, from harvesting to sorting, and even the cleanliness of the trucks transporting them. This commitment to quality extends to the choice of ingredients used in their chocolate recipes, ensuring a premium product in every bar. Bars with the Faces of Madagascar: At the heart of Menakao chocolates, there are women and men! We therefore wanted to illustrate our shelves by putting forward the faces of the different ethnic groups that represent the Malagasy people, who are very little known. The Tanala, the Betsimisaraka, the Mahafaly, the Antanosy, the Bara or the Merina, all represented in their headdresses and traditional clothes. A tribute and a desire to discover a country with multiple cultures that make the richness of Madagascar. Also a wink from the founder of Menakao, who wanted to recall four generations later the first commercial activities of the family: arriving at the beginning of the 19th century, it began in the sale of postcards. These magnificent portraits visible on our cases, painted by the late artist A. RAMIANDRASOA, illustrated postcards of the period.
Les merCocoa from Dennis Bodie The cocoa used by PURE Chocolate is supplied by Dennis Bodie. A farmer in a hamlet in the middle of the John Crow Mountains called Tom’s Hope (in Fellowship in the parish of Portland). To find Bodie’s farm, you really need the help of the locals. There are no street names, no house numbers, nor does the farm have a name. Dennis Bodie owns the farm. It is his pride and joy; he has pledged his heart and soul to his farm, does not go on holiday but, he says, enjoys the sound of the stream and nature around him every day. His cocoa is a cross between Criollo and Trinitario, fermented and dried by hand. In chocolate making, what happens at harvest and after is crucial. Thanks to the special process, the extraordinary cocoa taste of the original cocoa beans is preserved as best as possible.
Les merChocolat Madagascar, a multi-award-winning brand recognized globally for its excellence, produces its chocolate directly in Madagascar. This close proximity to the cocoa plantations allows for the freshest possible chocolate, capturing the intricate flavors as nature intended. With a commitment to fairness and sustainability, Chocolat Madagascar not only enhances the local economy through its Raise Trade practice but also supports agroforestry farming, benefiting Madagascar's rich biodiversity.
Les merFounded in 2019 by Jacob, Mellōw chocolate is a Copenhagen-based chocolate brand rooted in ethical and sustainable practices. Born from a suitcase of cocoa beans from Panama, Mellōw has evolved from initial experiments in Jacob's kitchen to a dedicated production facility. Their chocolate, made in small batches, prioritizes human rights, biodiversity, and sustainable cocoa farming. Mellōw chocolate is committed to slave-free and child labor-free chocolate, supporting cocoa agroforestry to combat deforestation. They blend science and art to craft chocolates that retain the natural benefits of cocoa beans, using natural and unrefined ingredients to preserve antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Jacob's vision for Mellōwis simple yet profound: to produce the finest quality chocolate with just two ingredients - ethically sourced cocoa beans and unrefined sugar. Mellōw's approach encompasses sustainable practices, ethical partnerships with farmers, organic ingredients, and plastic-free packaging. Focused on preserving the nutritional qualities of hand-picked cocoa beans, Mellōw chocolate develops its processes scientifically. They aim to inspire with well-designed products, collaborating with local creatives, all while striving to raise the bar in the chocolate industry.
Les merOrigines Chocolate Makers specializes in small-scale, artisanal chocolate production, focusing on detailed roasting and taste-testing to perfect their products. They are committed to social and environmental responsibility, supporting sustainable cocoa projects in Colombia, Peru, and Liberia, and carefully choosing suppliers to minimize impact. The company collaborates with local producers for ingredients and creatively uses cocoa bean husks in herbal teas and soaps. They continually work on packaging recyclability and sourcing from ethical suppliers. Origines' “Bean to Bar” approach is about indulgence accessible to all chocolate lovers, emphasizing quality and sustainability.
Les merIn 2011, Katarina and Pedro began their venture into the coffee industry by investing in a small farm on the slopes of Volcano Baru, in Boquete, Panama. This farm, dedicated to producing micro and nano-lots of coffee, leveraged the ideal climate of the region to grow beans of superior quality. Their commitment and expertise in coffee cultivation led to the creation of La Huella and Café de Panama. By 2020, during the global pandemic, they expanded by partnering with Nika and Jernej to open a La Huella branch in the European Union. This expansion allowed them to offer freshly roasted coffee beans, tailored to each order, to their customers who they consider as family. Participating in the Great Taste competition, their coffee has won over 20 awards since their first entry. Now competing under their own brand, Café de Panama – La Huella, they continue to receive accolades for their high-quality coffee. All the coffee they sell is sourced exclusively from their farm, ensuring that each batch is single origin. This practice allows them to preserve the unique flavors characteristic of their specific location in Boquete, influenced by the soil, climate, and altitude. These unique flavors are directly traceable and embody the farm’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Their focus on single origin coffee means that each unique flavor profile is produced in limited quantities, influenced by seasonal and climatic changes each year.
Les merIn 2011, Katarina and Pedro began their venture into the coffee industry by investing in a small farm on the slopes of Volcano Baru, in Boquete, Panama. This farm, dedicated to producing micro and nano-lots of coffee, leveraged the ideal climate of the region to grow beans of superior quality. Their commitment and expertise in coffee cultivation led to the creation of La Huella and Café de Panama. By 2020, during the global pandemic, they expanded by partnering with Nika and Jernej to open a La Huella branch in the European Union. This expansion allowed them to offer freshly roasted coffee beans, tailored to each order, to their customers who they consider as family. Participating in the Great Taste competition, their coffee has won over 20 awards since their first entry. Now competing under their own brand, Café de Panama – La Huella, they continue to receive accolades for their high-quality coffee. All the coffee they sell is sourced exclusively from their farm, ensuring that each batch is single origin. This practice allows them to preserve the unique flavors characteristic of their specific location in Boquete, influenced by the soil, climate, and altitude. These unique flavors are directly traceable and embody the farm’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Their focus on single origin coffee means that each unique flavor profile is produced in limited quantities, influenced by seasonal and climatic changes each year.
Les merIn 2011, Katarina and Pedro began their venture into the coffee industry by investing in a small farm on the slopes of Volcano Baru, in Boquete, Panama. This farm, dedicated to producing micro and nano-lots of coffee, leveraged the ideal climate of the region to grow beans of superior quality. Their commitment and expertise in coffee cultivation led to the creation of La Huella and Café de Panama. By 2020, during the global pandemic, they expanded by partnering with Nika and Jernej to open a La Huella branch in the European Union. This expansion allowed them to offer freshly roasted coffee beans, tailored to each order, to their customers who they consider as family. Participating in the Great Taste competition, their coffee has won over 20 awards since their first entry. Now competing under their own brand, Café de Panama – La Huella, they continue to receive accolades for their high-quality coffee. All the coffee they sell is sourced exclusively from their farm, ensuring that each batch is single origin. This practice allows them to preserve the unique flavors characteristic of their specific location in Boquete, influenced by the soil, climate, and altitude. These unique flavors are directly traceable and embody the farm’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Their focus on single origin coffee means that each unique flavor profile is produced in limited quantities, influenced by seasonal and climatic changes each year.
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