We’re on a path of growth to continue to effectively carry out our mission to discover, identify and preserve fine flavor Heirloom cacao varieties for the conservation of biological diversity and the empowerment of farming communities. We have set out on our own Expeditions to discover and identify Heirloom varieties of cacao before they are extinct and we invite you to come along with us on this journey that is fundamental for the future of fine-flavor chocolate.
The HCP has put together a team that perform expeditions throughout various cacao-producing regions of Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. 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. 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.
The main objective of the projects 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.
