Taste the unique flavors of our favorite origins

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Origins Of Cacao

Our cacao comes from remote rainforest regions that support biodiversity and sacred places, where indigenous communities respect the land.

Enjoy unique flavors from each of our curated origins, where Castronovo finds the best flavors in harmony with the environment and cultural heritage.

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CACAO OF
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC

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Cacao of Dominican Republic

Meet the chocolate that sparked a passion. Denise’s journey began with Dominican Republic cacao, her first love. Dominican Republic cacao has flavors that resonate well with the American palate, offering rich, velvety smoothness with surprising fruity flavors. We use cacao from a private rainforest reserve in the Duarte province where cacao sales are financing wild conservation land in support of bird and other wildlife protection.

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FLAVORS
OF THE
PHILIPPINES

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Flavors of the Philippines

For the first time, Denise ventures outside of Latin America and the Caribbean to try cacao grown on a family farm in the Philippines. Her interest in tasting the flavors of the cacao from this region is piqued by the historical journey of criollo cacao from the northwest Amazon to Mexico and on to the Philippines at the turn of the 17th century. Denise finds the Philippines chocolate so distinctive that she showcases this origin for you in this limited release.

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FLAVORS OF
VENEZUELA

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Jewel of Venezuela

In 2020, Denise was invited to use the coveted cacao from Chuao, Venezuela, an opportunity she had hoped for. Steeped in four centuries of African American tradition, Chuao cacao is renowned for having the highest quality and distinctive flavor. Women harvest the cacao, grown on the foothills of the rainforest national park and dry it on the iconic Church’s patio, while they sing traditional songs.

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CACAO OF
PERU

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Peru, Cradle of Cacao

Denise’s journey to Lima’s Salon du Chocolat unveiled the diverse flavors of Peru, cacao’s birthplace, and hooked Denise into this origin. When she traveled to the Peruvian Amazon, she discovered Theobroma bicolor a white bean cousin of cacao, called macambo, from indigenous women in Chazuta. They told her how cacao completely changed their lives into a haven for peace, something they never imagined. Join Denise in empowering indigenous women cooperatives and indulge in the finest rare, aromatic Peruvian cacao.

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BEANS
OF
COLOMBIA

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Pearl of the Pacific

Discover the rich flavors of Tumaco, Colombia, where the lush Pacific Coast rainforest meets vibrant African-Colombian culture. Denise met with producers from Tumaco and learned how they have found hope from their cacao livelihood in this fragile region. By choosing Tumaco-sourced chocolate you are investing in the preservation of native cacao varieties, education for a brighter future, and community-driven peace initiatives.

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TASTE OF THE
SIERRA
NEVADA

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Tastes of the Sierra Nevada

Denise’s journey to Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta revealed a remarkable story. She met with the indigenous Arhuacos, guardians of ‘the heart of the world’, who shared their ancient cacao with her. By partnering with the Arhuacos, we support their sacred mission to recover their ancestral lands, protect the biodiversity of the Sierra and in turn maintain the balance of Mother Earth. Join us and savor the flavors of balance and harmony.

Denise Castronovo

Denise Castronovo

“I love chocolate for it’s complex flavors and because conservation is a deeply rooted passion of mine.”

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䥾ean to Bar comes full circle on our treks.

Watch our Vlog of Denise’s travels as she discovers
the best cacao flavors around the globe.

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