Nestled in the remote mountains of Venezuela, lies the village of Chuao, known for its coveted cocoa plantations. The unique cocoa bean variety grown here is cultivated under the shade of larger trees, including banana, mango, lemon, or cedar. With a total annual production of 18-20 tonnes, the Chuao cocoa farmers take great pride in designating their cocoa as ‘the best in the world,’ a claim supported by the Cocoa de Chuao, Appellation d’origine label they received in 2000.

The beans undergo a 7-day fermentation process in wooden boxes, followed by sun-drying on the village square in front of the church, which undoubtedly contributes to their exceptional flavor.