Chuao, Venezuela

In the beginning of 2023, Gábor visited Chuao with chocolate expert Chloé Doutre‑Roussel – who is the master of cocoa and chocolate due to her 35 years of experience. This visit was something of a milestone in our Atelier project꞉ the final push came from Chloé's inspirational wisdom and the whole experience itself.

But why is this cocoa bean the most expensive variety in the world, and what makes it so special?

Despite its small size, the idyllic village of Chuao is renowned globally for its rare cocoa beans, which have sustained the local population for centuries. The history of Chuao cacao dates back about 450 years to the 17th century. Out of the village's 3,000 residents, 200 are involved in cocoa production—mainly women, as the men are usually engaged in fishing. Although the village is not on an island, it can only be reached by boat from the Caribbean Sea. Surrounded by mountains, Chuao lacks public roads; access is via a 20‑minute boat ride from the neighbouring coastal village of Choroni. The cocoa's quality and value are attributed to the pristine, undisturbed environment꞉ forests and national parks protect abundant biodiversity under strict conservation laws.

Chuao cacao boasts a wide genetic diversity, with over 75 varieties grown in a unique microclimate within an isolated valley between mountains and sea. During harvest, women collect the ripe beans and transport them to the village centre in buckets. The beans are then fermented for 6‑7 days in wooden crates covered with banana leaves, followed by the traditional "Chuao drying" process. The beans are sun‑dried in the village square and moved to a wooden‑floored warehouse at night. After drying, the beans are sorted, packed into 60 kg bags, and transported by boat to Puerto Colombia, Choroni's port. From there, they travel by truck to Caracas, where they are exported worldwide. The cocoa's complex, robust aromas include citrus notes, dried fruits, roasted nuts, and woody flavours, making it truly unique.

With only a limited quantity available globally each year, Chuao cacao is a true luxury. Like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in Italy or Champagne in France, Chuao cocoa has an "Appellation Contrôlée" or "Denominación de Origen," with its authenticity verified by a certificate and only available through authorised partners.

We extend our gratitude to the people of Chuao for their warm hospitality and for the opportunity to partner with them. And to you, we thank you for joining us on this journey. We promise to continue crafting chocoMe chocolates with only the finest ingredients from around the world and hope to inspire you to do the same!