The estate
One hundred and twenty hectares under shade
Five blocks of cocoa on a ridge above a stream, planted between forest trees, plantain and kola. Here is how the land shapes the flavour.
- of cocoa
- 120 ha
- blocks
- 5
- above sea level
- 380 m
The plan
Five blocks, one stream
Block A holds the first trees from 1962. Blocks D and E were planted by the second generation with newer, hardier varieties.
The farming year
When the pods come
Two harvests a year, with pruning and shade work in between.
- JanMain crop
- FebMain crop
- MarPruning
- AprPruning
- MayPruning
- JunMid crop
- JulMid crop
- AugMid crop
- SepPruning
- OctMain crop
- NovMain crop
- DecMain crop
Forest shade
Cocoa likes shade. Our trees grow under mahogany, kola and mango.
Long dry season
November to February dries beans well, which keeps flavour clean.
Mixed varieties
Old Amelonado trees in block A, newer hybrids in blocks D and E.
Hands, not machines
Every pod is cut and opened by hand.
Walk the five blocks.
Day tours run Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch on the estate.