Menakao, 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 mer
Situated at the southern end of the Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala is the most densely inhabited state in Central America, sharing its borders with Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and Belize. It boasts dual coastlines: a slender gateway to the Caribbean Sea's Gulf of Honduras to the east, and a Pacific coastline in the southwest. Georgia Ramon is an active participant in the De La Selva cooperative, which finds its roots in the project initiatives of the esteemed rainforest management organization, OroVerde. In Spanish, 'DeLaSelva' translates to 'from the rainforest'. The purchase of Jolomijix chocolate cultivates income for the indigenous Quecha communities residing along the Sierra de las Minas National Park's perimeter. This mountainous region, which houses more than 885 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1992 due to its distinct cloud forest biodiversity, which ascends to over 3000 meters. The legendary quetzal, a bird sacred to the Mayan gods and the national symbol of Guatemala, also calls this area home. The cocoa is grown using a unique method within biodiverse forest gardens, intermingled with fruit and shade trees. This approach yields abundant harvests for decades, offering additional income to families and simultaneously preserving the rainforest. By controlling their processing and marketing, the small-scale farmers bolster their economic independence and self-sufficiency. Guatemala's unique cocoa has held a significant place in the advanced Mayan civilization for over 2000 years, a tradition still upheld by the descendants in the Sierra de las Minas. Today, over 400 small farmers from the Quecha community, direct descendants of the Maya, actively participate in cocoa cultivation, carrying forward their ancestors' legacy.
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 merPralus, founded by François Pralus, is a brand born from a dream to own a cocoa plantation. After two years of searching, François found his ideal spot in 2003 on Nosy-Be, an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, known as the Island of Perfumes. Surrounded by the scents of ylang-ylang, vetivers, peppers, and vanilla, he began his tree-to-bar journey. Set amidst the rolling hills of Nosy-Be, beyond the rice fields and between fragrant vetiver trees, frangipani, and raphias, lies the fertile land where François Pralus' cocoa trees thrive. The plantation, cultivated from scratch on a hillside, started with a nursery nurturing over 25,000 cocoa plants. Here, a variety of criollo beans, typical to the Malagasy land and known for the prized white bean, were chosen for their finesse. These seedlings, once matured, were planted in a preserved primary forest, under the canopy of large trees, allowing them to flourish for at least five years before bearing their first cocoa pods. Pralus' journey from a passionate dream to crafting exquisite tree-to-bar chocolate encapsulates a deep commitment to quality and the art of chocolate making.
Les merBeau Cacao specializes in crafting small-batch chocolate, starting with carefully sourced cacao beans from select small farms in Malaysia. They meticulously roast these beans in the French Alps, a process that accentuates the unique flavors of each plantation. The chocolate is then skillfully transformed and set in Beau-designed molds, ensuring a product that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment alike. Beau Cacao invites you to "Taste the change!" with their conscientiously crafted and flavor-rich chocolate.
Les merOriginal Beans is a Dutch-based chocolate brand with a mission. She has her own sourcing team that looks for unique and original cocoa varieties. They not only protect this cocoa, but also the environment in which it grows, the tropical rainforest. The recipe is developed with the utmost precision, so that the delicious aromas of the cocoa beans are optimally expressed in their chocolate. Taste the Rare and Preserve it! As the name suggests, this Beni Wild Harvest is made from wild-harvested cocoa from the Bolivian Amazon. The chocolate is conched for at least 24 hours.
Les merPralus, founded by François Pralus, is a brand born from a dream to own a cocoa plantation. After two years of searching, François found his ideal spot in 2003 on Nosy-Be, an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, known as the Island of Perfumes. Surrounded by the scents of ylang-ylang, vetivers, peppers, and vanilla, he began his tree-to-bar journey. Set amidst the rolling hills of Nosy-Be, beyond the rice fields and between fragrant vetiver trees, frangipani, and raphias, lies the fertile land where François Pralus' cocoa trees thrive. The plantation, cultivated from scratch on a hillside, started with a nursery nurturing over 25,000 cocoa plants. Here, a variety of criollo beans, typical to the Malagasy land and known for the prized white bean, were chosen for their finesse. These seedlings, once matured, were planted in a preserved primary forest, under the canopy of large trees, allowing them to flourish for at least five years before bearing their first cocoa pods. Pralus' journey from a passionate dream to crafting exquisite tree-to-bar chocolate encapsulates a deep commitment to quality and the art of chocolate making.
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 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 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 merGeorgia Ramon's milk chocolate with a high cocoa content of 55% may be the norm for some, but this bar made with aromatic, fruity cocoa from the Dominican Republic from Öko Caribe will challenge that notion. With a high cocoa content and 25% milk, this gluten-free bar is surprisingly balanced and harmonious in taste, without the addition of sugar. Its pure chocolate taste is enhanced by its creaminess and subtle sweetness.
Les merLemongrass adds lovely subtle citrus and spice accents to the berry notes in this 70% dark chocolate. This delicately balanced bar is a must if you like something special. Paired with a glass of champagne, you can skip dessert altogether. Cocoa 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 merThe cocoa beans for this chocolate come from the APACH cooperative (Asociación de Productores Agroforestales de la Cuenca Rio Choloma), which has 110 member farmers. They live and work in the area around the city/municipality of Choloma, which comprises 41 villages. The cocoa is grown in the forests – agroforestry – at the foot of the Sierra del Mérendon, on the border of Honduras and Guatemala.
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 mer
