Ecuadorian Amazonas Cacao Farms.

A boat ride to the Ecuadorian Amazonas Cacao Finca.

Early in the morning, after sleeping in the Ecuadorian Amazonas town of Tena, we decided to visit the Ecuadorian Amazonas Cacao Farm. We planned the journey and organized the trip by ourselves, without taking any tour guide. The farm was located in the Amazonas area where you needed to take a bus to a point of the river and then to take a boat which took you to the Cacao farm. The family guide was waiting for us in the town and took us with him on the boat to the location of the farm. After a short ride on the river, we arrived at the finca of the Cacao. Arriving there, we were greeted by the family that runs the family business of cacao. On the finca, they had also hosted 2 volunteers from Belgium and Germany. 

Red Cacao ready to be picked from the Ecuadorian Amazonian Finca.

We were very impressed by the hospitality of the Ecuadorian family. We spent the next few hours learning about the process from seed to production of the Cacao.

Yellow Cacao ready to extract the seed for production.

We also learned about the different kinds of Cacao. We tasted seeds from the yellow Cacao and also from the red Cacao.

Red Cacao, rich and full of seeds for the production of high quality chocolate. Rich as a result of the Ecuadorian Amazonas cultivation.

We experienced the process of how to cook the Cacao seed into production of chocolate and pure cacao nibs. It was amazing to see the process and we became very educated about this. We learned about the quality of the Cacao and how to manufacture the chocolate with high quality. From the point of collecting the seeds, fermenting and drying the seed outside without any additional materials or chemicals, it was all done in a natural and sustainable process. 

Drying process of the cacao seeds, naturally and sustainable production.

Peeling the cacao seeds by hand for preparation of chocolate production.

Noy participates in hand-made cacao powder, natural and sustainable process.

Machinery of the Ecuadorian Amazona family production of cacao powder.

Carmit demonstrates the freshly-grinded cacao powder. Sticking to sustainable production.

The Ecuadorian family was very proud of their product and their processes. This Cacao finca has been run for generations by the family. They keep the business not industrial, through keeping the process sustainable, using all methods are based on generational knowledge. The machinery to process the cacao seed into powder and the cooking process of the powder into chocolate is all done by hand. The different tastes of the chocolate are all being added by individuals by hand with specific other natural herbs, such as Luisa, to give the chocolate its final taste. 

Carmit & Noy participating in the process of cooking the cacao powder to produce natural chocolate.

Cooking the cacao powder, natural fire and sustainable process.

High quality cacao production in the Ecuadorian Amazonian cacao finca.

It was an amazing adventure. When we finished, we had a table set for us full of chocolate and fruits. It was delicious. 

Hospitality of the Ecuadorian Amazonas family, offering fruits and the rich chocolate we made by hand.

Here we are enjoying the product of our work, production of natural high-quality chocolate in a sustainable process.

The only disappointment was on the part of the volunteers. We felt they took advantage of our visit, did not contribute enough in the process of the hospitality and just came to sit on the table and eat the finished product. This was very disappointing on the side of their behavior since the Ecuadorian family was very humble and generous. I wish for the Ecuadorian family to have better volunteers for the next time. 

Typical clothing custom-made by the Ecuadorian Amazonas family of the Cacao Finca.

Typical jewelry & clothing custom-made by the Ecuadorian Amazonas family of the Cacao Finca.

The Ecuadorian family did amazing work in the finca and their hospitality was above our expectations. They were very polite and generous through all the process of manufacturing the cacao powder, the chocolate and the granola, including offering lots of fruits. We bought from their products and took some pictures before we left. We left back on the boat, enjoying the beautiful day that we had. 

Leaving our wonderful visit to the Ecuadorian Cacao Finca by boat.

The way back on the boat was very short. The bus was waiting for us on the other side. Everything was organized by us to the point that we had nothing to worry about. We felt safe. It was another day for us to co-mingle with the locals, speak Spanish, and learn about their sustainable livinghood and culture.

Our goodbyes, leaving the Ecuadorian Amazonas Cacao Finca by boat.

Contact us for more information about purchasing Ecuadorian cacao and its products.