Collection title: All Chocolate Bars

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Collection title: Aragua, Venezuela

Collection description: Aragua State is located squarely in northern Venezuela, along the central coast. The region encompasses a variety of climes, including beaches, plains, and jungles, the latter of which is home to one of the state’s many industries: cacao farming. The municipalities of Choroní, Ocumare, and Chuao are some of the most famous & historic cacao-growing areas of Venezuela, as well as the home of— arguably— its most beautiful beaches. In Ocumare the main industries are fishing and cacao production, while Chuao is famously close to the capital city of Caracas, but difficult to get to. The village is only accessible by travelling via boat from nearby Choroní, and then trekking a few miles inland.

Collection title: Cacao Origin: Venezuela

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Collection title: Canada Chocolate Makers

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Collection title: Dark Chocolate

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Collection title: Finca Torres

Collection description: Finca Torres, also called Hacienda Torres, is a 400-hectare cacao farm located along the Venezuelan coast. However only about a fifth of the land is covered in cacao trees, due to the estate’s mostly mountainous terrain within Pittier National Park. The historical farm is located within the growing region of Choroni, close to the world-renowned areas of Chuao and Ocumare. Some years back, the proprietors— the Fuentes family— constructed a road for easier vehicular access to the grounds, facilitating the transport of cacao for export. Unfortunately, this and other larger cultural shifts have inadvertently led to higher tourism and further loss of land for natural farming. This has sharply decreased the amount of cacao grown in Choroni, but hopefully the Fuentes’ unintended gain will lead to more native cacao cultivation throughout the region in the coming years.

Collection title: Latest Arrivals

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Collection title: Nut Free Chocolate

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Collection title: Ocumare

Collection description: “Ocumare” refers to both a village & region and a cacao blend— rather than necessarily a specific type— native to that village & region. The town, whose full name is Ocumare de la Costa, sits in a remote valley known on the central coast of Venezuela. Along with a few other micro-regions within Aragua State, notably Choroní and Chuao, Ocumare is one of the most famous & historic cacao-growing areas of Venezuela. It’s been known for its superior criollo cacaos since the beginning of the 18th century, and that fame has led to quite a bit of popularity, so much so that Ocumare cacao is now one of the most prized in the world. The two identified Ocumare strains are criollo-heavy, with creamy, bright notes.

Collection title: Plain Chocolate

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Collection title: Shop Bar & Cocoa

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Collection title: SOMA Chocolatemaker

Collection description: Soma was founded by David Castellan and Cynthia Leung in 2003. A rarity in the industry, Soma are adept at both chocolate making, and also a fantastic chocolatier. At the time, ‘bean to bar’ chocolate wasn’t necessarily even a term! Anybody who knew how to make chocolate were those who worked for big chocolate companies. Soma was one of the first to tackle the micro batch chocolate bar production. Besides their wonderful line of chocolate bars, Soma also uses their chocolate to make ganache for truffles, and other chocolate treats. Soma's high quality chocolate bars have been awarded multiple times over the years. First starting off in a 400 square foot tiny corner of an old whiskey distillery, Soma now has two chocolate factories in Toronto, Canada.

Collection title: Soy Free Chocolate

Collection description: These chocolates do not list soy products as a main ingredient. Some of the chocolates say: "may contain traces of soy" where perhaps a very small amount may have come in contact with the food due to shared equipment or facility usage. Each product has icons that indicate whether a product is completely soy free or may contain traces.

Collection title: Variety-Criollo

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Collection title: Vegan Chocolate

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Collection title: Women In Chocolate

Collection description: This collection highlights craft chocolate bars from women chocolate makers or women owned chocolate companies.