The Journey of Cacao
The journey from cacao to chocolate is shaped by time, tradition, and skilled hands. Discover how each stage transforms the fruit of the cacao tree while preserving the flavors and stories of its origin.
Harvesting
It all begins with the harvest. Ripe cacao pods are carefully selected and opened by hand, revealing the beans that carry the first promise of chocolate.
Drying
Time and sunlight shape the flavor. The cacao beans are spread out to dry naturally, allowing their aromas to deepen as they are carefully turned and watched over.
Grading
Every bean is carefully selected. Using a traditional sieve, the cacao is separated by size and inspected, ensuring greater consistency before roasting.
Roasting
Heat awakens the cacao. The selected beans are gently roasted, revealing the rich aromas and complex flavors held within them.
Peeling
The heart of the bean is revealed. Once roasted, each bean is carefully peeled to remove its shell and uncover the cacao nibs inside.
Grinding
The cacao begins to transform. The nibs are ground until they release their natural oils, gradually becoming a rich and aromatic cacao paste.
Kneading
Warmth and patience bring everything together. The cacao paste is gently melted and slowly kneaded until its texture becomes smooth and its flavors come into balance, bringing its journey from pod to chocolate closer to completion.