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Discover the Finest Single-Origin Sur de Lago Cacao Paste
Indulge in the rich flavour and unique profile of our high-grade, fine flavour, fully traceable and single-origin Sur de Lago Cacao paste made from rare Criollo Cacao beans.
Enjoy the Rich Flavours of Our Cacao
Our Cacao boasts moderate roasted cocoa notes, seamlessly blending into a rich nutty profile highlighted by distinct walnut and hazelnut flavours.
On the finish, it unfurls layers of wood, caramel, brown sugar, and malt—hallmarks of ancestral Criollo Cacao. This concise palette invites a sophisticated exploration of its complex heritage, crafting a memorable tasting experience.
Quality Assurance
Our Cacao is meticulously tested to meet the highest standards of quality and purity. Every batch is registered with quality control at each stage of the process along with certification of its origin and quality.
Sustainable Source
The single origin farm our Cacao comes from uses sustainable farming practices, protects biodiversity and minimises environmental impact. The Cacao is wild harvested by hand.
Discover our Amazing Cacao Paste
Indulge in the Finest Single Origin Sur de Lago Cacao Paste
Cacao Gallery
Explore our collection of cacao images from the Hacienda El Milagro, Venezuela
Where does our Cacao come from?
Nestled in the verdant expanses surrounding the southern shores of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, lies a sprawling territory of 18,440 km² that stands as a cornerstone of agricultural prowess within the states of Táchira, Mérida, Zulia, and Trujillo known as Sur del Lago. This region plays a pivotal role in the nation's Cacao industry, contributing over 35% of the country's production.
Beyond its significant production capabilities, Sur del Lago is renowned as a sanctuary of genetic diversity for Criollo Cacao. This unique genetic richness endows our Cacao with an unparalleled spectrum of aromas and flavours, setting the stage for an extraordinary chocolate experience that is as rare as it is enchanting. Our commitment to high-grade, fully traceable Cacao invites you to embark on a journey of taste that is deeply rooted in the heritage and biodiversity of Sur del Lago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our sourcing, quality, and purchasing options.
There are many companies offering 'bean to bar' products and while this has benefits for the farmers it is bringing very little in the way of other employment in developing nations. Cacao paste is a versatile and high quality product that has been processed by our partners in Venezuela thus providing more opporutiunities for employment. Additionally Cacao beans are sprayed with all manner of chemicals before they are shipped to their destinations and by creating the paste in the country of origin we are avoiding this chemical process.
There has been a surge of interest in Cacao in recent months especially in the media. Very often these products are claimed to be fine flavour, traceable cacao but unfortunately they are not. The definition of fine flavor cacao is stipulated in Article 2.2. of the International Cocoa Agreement 2010 (Ammended): Fine flavour ccoa is cocoa characterised by a complex sensory profile, composed of well-balanced basic attributes with aromatic and flavour notes; the complementary attributes can be clearly perceived and identified in the expression of its aromas and flavours; it results from the interaction between (a) a particular genetic composition, (b) favourable growing conditions in a given environment/terroir, (c) specific plantation management techniques, (d) specific harvesting and post-harvest practices and (e) stable chemical and physical composition, and integrity of the bean.
Criollo Cacao currently makes up just 0.01% of all the Cacao grown in the world. Criollo is a very rare and precious variety of cacao that was at risk of extinction for many years. It is the Cacao of the Mayas and the Aztecs, the cultivation of which has been progressively abandoned owing to its low yield.
We source our Cacao directly from a single origin farm in Venezuela that we have visited and we work directly with the owner and producer to ensure full traceability.
Our Cacao is of the highest grade (fine flavour) and carefully selected for its exceptional flavour and aroma. It is from a single origin and comes with certificates of authenticity. Mili has also been to the farm herself.
I have personally visited the Hacienda “ El Milagro” where the Cacao is grown and I work on a direct trade basis with the farmer and owner. Merida is my home town, and it is to my advantage and benefit to be able to follow every step that the Cacao takes from the tree to the Cacao paste bar. My regular visits to Venezuela ensure full transparency and traceability of the product.
We offer various purchasing options, including large orders (up to 500 kilos) and customised packages. We can offer shipping direct to your place of business.
Yes, we provide samples upon request to ensure customer satisfaction.
Yes, we ship our Cacao worldwide to meet the needs of our global customers.