We’re on a path of growth to continue to effectively carry out our mission to:
In 2020 the HCP was granted funding through the Lesley Family Foundation program, which was broken down into three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Research
An in-depth investigation into past cacao discovery efforts has been conducted through research, surveying all existing literature and reports on the topic, connecting with people who have conducted discovery expeditions of their own through interviews to identify where there are gaps in research and where there is a need for expeditions.
An extensive report by Lambert A. Motilal titled, "The Review of Cacao Expeditions and Germplasm Movements" has been written, and published on October 17th, 2022 based on this research.
Phase 2: Expeditions
In 2023, the HCP will conduct expeditions to identified locations in Central and South America to discover the world’s rarest, most flavorful cacao. The main objective of the discovery expeditions is to unearth additional cacao trees that are unique in flavor and genetics, map and document them for future preservation and scientific research, and provide initial infrastructure and technical support for post-harvest process
Phase 3: Roadmap for Future Expeditions
The final phase of this program is utilizing the information from The Review and HCP expeditions in order to develop a roadmap to steer future expeditions to uncover and preserve fine flavor Heirloom cacao.
In 2020 the HCP was granted funding through the Lesley Family Foundation program, which was broken down into three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Research
An in-depth investigation into past cacao discovery efforts has been conducted through research, surveying all existing literature and reports on the topic, connecting with people who have conducted discovery expeditions of their own through interviews to identify where there are gaps in research and where there is a need for expeditions.
An extensive report by Lambert A. Motilal titled, "The Review of Cacao Expeditions and Germplasm Movements" has been written, and published on October 17th, 2022 based on this research.
Phase 2: Expeditions
In 2023, the HCP will conduct expeditions to identified locations in Central and South America to discover the world’s rarest, most flavorful cacao. The main objective of the discovery expeditions is to unearth additional cacao trees that are unique in flavor and genetics, map and document them for future preservation and scientific research, and provide initial infrastructure and technical support for post-harvest process
Phase 3: Roadmap for Future Expeditions
The final phase of this program is utilizing the information from The Review and HCP expeditions in order to develop a roadmap to steer future expeditions to uncover and preserve fine flavor Heirloom cacao.
MEXICO
|
The execution of Phase 2: Expeditions is in full effect. The HCP has put together a team that, over the next four weeks, will be performing expeditions throughout various cacao-producing regions of Mexico and Guatemala. Local experts will guide our team through various farms, co-ops, and forests as they document the findings through the creative mediums of writing and visual storytelling. The goal is to meet with farmers, hear their stories, discover the culture of growing cacao and how it changes from family to family, and between regions, but it doesn’t end there. With the help of local experts, our team will document the discovery, identification, and preservation of rare cacao varieties that have the potential to be transformed into fine-flavor chocolate. We will understand proper fermentation techniques, gather resources to be able to create educational guides for farmers and retailers alike, and make everlasting connections with the people who are the reason that we do what we do.
|
GUATEMALA
THE CREW
|
Alejandro
|
Erick AcAgribussines Advisor at Guatemala Cacao Company, S.A.; Guatemala
Erick acted as the Chief Operating Officer of Crioco Cacao and Cacao Project Manager of BFREE, in Belize. His experience in implementing a program to conserve the genetics of criollo cacao and the commercial production of cacao beans, chocolates and other products and services derived of cacao criollo (tourism, education, knowledge, etc) will be crucial in carrying out Phase 2. Home Base: Cobán, Guatemala |
