It’s about the chocolate

Naçional cacao of Ecuador, bright yellow and bursting with unique terroir.

I buy chocolate rather than make it. chocolate from makers that have positive impact on people and communities that produce cocoa.

The goals of the direct-trade ethos are transparency and a high regard for farmers and producers who hold a vision for sustaining cocoa as a viable crop for their communities. I purchase bulk chocolate from makers with reputations for highly ethical practices and who are transparent about their practices. Their collaborations with cocoa producers create superior chocolate from superior farming practices.

FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CHOCOLATE

David with the Conexión team and our hosts at The Kallari Reserve, Amazonas, Ecuador 2019

  • https://www.hcpcacao.org/

    For a deeper dive into the work of preservation of fragile varietals of cacao, identifying genetics of cacao, and other work by HCP, click the link. There are now 16 Heirloom Cacao designations around our planet. Ecuador has the highest concentration of these. We offer you those heirloom varietals produced by Conexión Chocolates.

  • https://www.conexionchocolate.com/farmers/

    The name tells you the story. Conexión works directly with farmers, empowering them with sustainable production practices of Arriba Naçional Cacao and heirloom varietals. Ecuador is the largest producer of fine grade cacao on our planet.

  • https://www.felchlin.com/en/cacao-selection/sustainability/

    Founded in 1908, Felchlin uses the guideline ‘fair direct cocoa’ in optimizing practices and production of fine grade cocoa in underdeveloped cacao origins to improve farmers’ livelihoods and land use.

  • https://chocolateinstitute.org/

    This team of researchers and educators is based around Harvard University. They are making great strides in progress for the new chocolate movement. Their goal is to empower farmers with skills to produce high grade cocoa and empower their own lives, essentially reversing the colonial foundation of modern chocolate production. This is a deep rabbit hole into the politics, culture, and power around chocolate. Click the link to know more about your chocolate.

  • https://www.agriculturalinstitute.org

    AIM serves 350+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from 38 California counties who participate in AIM’s eight Certified Farmers Markets across the Bay Area. Their goal is to showcase the benefits of buying locally grown, raised, sourced and products directly from the producer. Click the link to learn more about their mission and markets.