Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. We are always happy to help so if you can't find what you are looking for here please don't hestitate to get in touch and we will endeavour to help if we can.
General
To place an order, simply browse our products, select the items you’d like to purchase, and add them to your basket. Once you're ready to check out, follow the prompts to enter your delivery and payment information. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your order is placed.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as payments via PayPal. All transactions are secure and encrypted for your protection.
We offer digital gift cards that can be purchased and sent via email. These can be used toward any products on our website. You can find them here.
Delivery times vary depending on the product and when the order is placed. For example, our cake kits are delivered the next day if ordered before 12 pm and within two days if ordered after 12 pm. Bespoke cakes take longer and require consultation. Please check individual product pages for specific delivery details.
Delivery costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and the items in your order. Any applicable shipping fees will be clearly displayed before you complete your purchase.
If you're not home, the courier will leave the package in a safe place it if is a cake kit or if you have ordered cacao only they will attempt re-delivery.
You can also provide special instructions during checkout for where you'd like your order left if you’re not available.
If you need to cancel or modify your order, please contact us as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request if the order hasn’t already been processed or dispatched.
For Cacao, we offer a return or refund policy within 7 days of receipt, provided the items are unopened, unused and in their original packaging.
Due to the perishable nature of our cake kits, we cannot accept returns on these items, but please contact us if there are any issues with your delivery.
Bespoke cakes are non-refundable due to their custom nature.
Yes, we use industry-standard encryption to protect your payment details. All transactions are processed securely to ensure your information is safe.
Yes, once you have made your purchase and your item has been dispatched, we will send you tracking information via email so you can keep an eye on your delivery’s progress.
We currenlty only ship to the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and BFPOs. However we are always interested to consider new markets so please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss this.
Unfortunatley some eCommerce software struggles with BFPO addresses. If you are trying to purchase and send any of our products to a BFPO and are having problems please get in touch as soon as you can and we will find a solution to get your package to that BFPO address.
You can reach our customer service team via email at hello@milimendez.com or by filling out the contact form on our website. We aim to respond within 24 hours.
Cacao
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 flavour cacao is stipulated in Article 2.2. of the International Cocoa Agreement 2010 (Ammended). Fine flavour cacao is 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 estate 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 | extra fino aroma) and carefully selected for its exceptional flavour and aroma. It is from a single estate and comes with certificates of authenticity. Mili has also been to the farm herself.
Mili has personally visited the Hacienda “ El Milagro” where the cacao is grown and she works on a direct trade basis with the farmer and owner. Merida is her home town, and it is to her advantage and benefit to be able to follow every step that the cacao takes from the tree to the cacao paste bar. Her regular visits to Venezuela ensure full transparency and traceability of the product.
We sell direct to consumers and we have a selected, very limited trade offering. Please contact us directly if you are interested in becoming a trade buyer.
Since our cacao is limited edition we don't tend to send out samples but feel free to email us your compeling reason as to why you deserve a sample and we will certainly consider it!
Cake Kits
Each cake kit includes everything you need to bake your cake, including the container to bake it in, a serving board, dried flower petals for decoration, and all the ingredients – even two fresh eggs. We’ve made it as simple as possible, so all you need is what’s in the box!
Yes, the cake kit contains perishable items like cream, milk, and/or butter, which need to be refrigerated as soon as possible after receiving the box. To ensure freshness, please place these items in the fridge immediately upon receipt.
The eggs are sent in their shells, safely packed within their own box inside the main box. We did extensive tests on how much damage the box could sustain without the eggs breaking but accidents do happen. If you find your eggs have broken please get in touch.
If you place your order before 12 pm, you will receive your cake kit the next day. Orders placed after 12 pm will arrive within two days.
We recommend using the kit as soon as possible for the best quality. Perishable items like the cream, milk, and butter have a limited shelf life, so be sure to check the use-by dates on your kit when it arrives.
If you are not in to receive your cake kit, the courier will follow your delivery instructions (e.g., leave with a neighbour or in a safe place). Please ensure that the perishable items are refrigerated as soon as possible.
Some items in the kit, such as butter, may be suitable for freezing. However, we recommend using the kit fresh for the best results.
We have a special edition Gluten Free Venezuelan Chocolate cake which is suitable for individuals who are gluten intolerant.
However, please note that these kits are prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten-containing ingredients, so there may be a risk of cross-contamination.
As a result, our gluten-free cakes are not suitable for those with coeliac disease or severe gluten allergies. We recommend checking the ingredients list carefully for any allergens or potential traces before purchasing.
We will be designing new cake kits and so get in touch with us if you have any suggestions or ideas.
We prioritise hyper-local ingredients, many of which come from our small farm in Suffolk or are sourced from trusted UK suppliers. We also incorporate Venezuelan flavours to create a unique cake experience.
You can find out more about our suppliers on our Traceability page.
Bespoke Cakes
Our bespoke cakes are fully customised and designed to meet your specific vision. The process includes a design phase, a tasting phase, and various other elements that ensure your cake is unique and crafted with the utmost care. These cakes are typically more elaborate, seasonal, and use hyper-local ingredients from our farm in Suffolk or trusted UK suppliers.
Creating a bespoke cake is a collaborative and detailed process. It begins with an initial consultation to understand your requirements, followed by a design phase where we craft the look and feel of your cake. You’ll also have a tasting session to finalise flavours. The entire process is bespoke to your needs, so it may take more time compared to standard cakes.
The time frame for bespoke cakes varies depending on the complexity of the design and the seasonality of ingredients. Generally, it can take several weeks to complete from the initial consultation to delivery. We recommend contacting us well in advance of your event to ensure enough time for design and preparation.
Yes, our bespoke cakes are crafted using seasonal ingredients, many of which come from our own farm or local suppliers. We pride ourselves on using the freshest hyper-local ingredients, which means that the flavours and ingredients available may vary depending on the time of year.
No, bespoke cakes are made to order and not available for purchase directly through the website. However, you can use our price estimation tool to get an outline cost. If you’re interested in discussing your bespoke cake in more detail, please get in touch with us directly.
We offer a price estimation tool on our website, which provides an outline cost based on your preferences. After receiving the estimate, you can contact us to discuss the specifics and get a more detailed quote.
Bespoke cakes involve a detailed design process, premium hyper-local ingredients, and a high level of craftsmanship. Each cake is tailored to your specifications and requires more time and effort to create, which is reflected in the cost.
Yes, a tasting phase is included as a costed part of the bespoke cake process. This allows you to sample various flavours and select your preferred combination for the final cake.
Absolutely! We encourage you to share your preferences during the consultation phase, and we will do our best to incorporate seasonal, hyper-local ingredients to meet your vision. However, availability may vary depending on the season.