Tag Archive: El Salvador

Cacao de El Salvador – Part 4 (Xocolatísimo)

Continuing the El Salvador chocolate experience, the first thing I noticed as I walked into Xocolatísimo chocolate shop was an impressive looking arrangement of colorfully packaged chocolate bars covering almost the entire back wall.

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Cacao de El Salvador – Part 3 (JEZ Chocolate)

Typically, cacao is grown in one part of the world while chocolate is manufactured and consumed in another. If you live in the United States, chances are the chocolate you’re eating is made from cacao gown in Africa or South America even though it was made in Switzerland or Pennsylvania.

Although it is rare, there are exceptions to this situation. In El Salvador, for example, chocolate shops are crafting chocolate bars, truffles, and hot cocoa drinks from the cacao grown in El Salvador. Sometimes, the business owner grows the cacao too.

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Cacao de El Salvador – Part 2

A couple months ago I traveled to El Salvador to learn more about how reviving a traditional and ancient agricultural practice can generate income through sustainable environmental and economical development. What on earth am I talking about? Something near and dear to my heart. The Food of the Gods – el Cacao!

I begin at the beginning, following a community of farmers through the process of growing, harvesting, and preparing cacao beans for market...

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Cacao de El Salvador – Part 1

I have so much good news to share about what’s going on in El Salvador! I spent a little over a week traveling in the eastern part of the country learning first hand from farmers and processors about the benefits and challenges of growing cacao in their region.

My head is bursting with all that I heard, saw and yes, tasted. As a result, I’m going to publish a series of blog posts about it all. My hope is to take everything currently trapped in my brain and write it down. And share some interesting stories and photos with you all.

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El Salvador Women Make Organic Chocolate

Rural Salvadorans Reviving Chocolate Production

In an effort to revive cacao production in El Salvador, the Alianza Cacao Alliance took shape late last year.

The alliance brought together cooperatives and farmers from different regions, including rural townsfolk who have been struggling to make a living.

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