Are Old Cacao Trees Really the Problem?
The idea that old cacao trees must be replaced has become widely accepted. But is the problem really the age of the tree—or the way we manage cacao forests? Recent research and centuries-old trees suggest a more nuanced story.
Chocolate Is the Record of Everything That Happened to the Tree
Every piece of chocolate tells the story of the cacao tree that produced it. From sunlight and rainfall to fermentation and roasting, each stage leaves its mark. Learn how chocolate becomes a record of everything that happened to cacao long before it reached your hands.
CCN-51: What Do We Ask a Cacao Tree to Be?
CCN-51 has been praised for its productivity and criticised for its flavour. But perhaps the more interesting question is what we actually need a cacao tree to do.
Qué hacer en Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: playas, naturaleza, cacao y vida local
Una guía local para descubrir qué hacer en Puerto Viejo: playas, naturaleza, cacao, vida silvestre, comida, maridajes y planes para disfrutar el Caribe sin correr.
Sustainability Isn't the Problem. The System Is.
For more than twenty years, sustainability has shaped conversations around coffee and chocolate. Yet many farmers still struggle to earn a stable living. What if the challenge isn't sustainability itself, but the system we've built around it?
New Research Reveals Hidden Diversity in Peruvian Cacao
A new genetic study has identified four previously unrecognised cacao lineages in Peru, expanding our understanding of one of the world's richest centres of cacao diversity. Here's what the discovery means for farmers, chocolate makers and the future of cacao.
What’s On in Puerto Viejo? A Guide to Weekly Events, Music & Nightlife
From trivia and karaoke to bingo, live music, cinema, cumbia and community gatherings, here's our regularly updated guide to what's happening each week in Puerto Viejo.
Things to Do in Puerto Viejo at Night: A Local Guide to Evenings
Puerto Viejo evenings can mean sunset light over the Caribbean, dinner, cocktails, live music, chocolate pairings or dancing late into the night. A local guide to what to do in Puerto Viejo after the beach.
Four New Cacao Varieties Have Been Discovered in Peru. Here's Why That Matters
Researchers in Peru have identified four previously unrecognised cacao lineages, but the real story isn't the discovery itself. It's what it reveals about the extraordinary diversity of cacao and why protecting that diversity matters for the future of chocolate.
Three days in Puerto Viejo
Wondering how to spend three days in Puerto Viejo? This relaxed itinerary helps you experience the Caribbean coast at its own pace, with beaches, wildlife, local food, cacao, and plenty of time to simply enjoy where you are.
The Five Things That Surprise Almost Everyone At A Chocolate Class
Most people arrive expecting to learn how chocolate is made. They leave with a completely different way of seeing it. Here are the five moments that surprise almost everyone.
Why Our Hot Chocolate Tastes Different
What makes a truly memorable cup of hot chocolate? Discover how our bean-to-bar chocolate becomes everything from a traditional chocolate de olla to a bold 100% cacao drink, an espresso, an affogato, and more.
Learning Spanish in Puerto Viejo
Thinking about learning Spanish during your time in Puerto Viejo? This local guide introduces language schools, independent tutors, and simple ways to practice Spanish naturally while exploring Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Why we taste chocolate every day
Chocolate makers don't taste chocolate because they're hungry. They taste because every stage of the bean-to-bar process reveals something new.
The Best Beaches in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: A Local's Guide
From black volcanic sand and beginner surf breaks to calm turquoise bays perfect for swimming, every beach around Puerto Viejo has its own personality. Here's how to choose the one that's right for you.
The Best Time to Visit Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
When is the best time to visit Puerto Viejo? The answer isn't as simple as "dry season" or "green season." Discover how Costa Rica's Caribbean climate differs from the rest of the country, what each season has to offer, and how to choose the perfect time for your own style of travel—from sunny beach days and wildlife encounters to quiet escapes and unforgettable chocolate experiences.
How to Spend 48 Hours in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Planning a weekend in Puerto Viejo? This local itinerary shows you how to spend 48 unforgettable hours exploring beautiful beaches, Cahuita National Park, Caribbean cuisine, chocolate experiences, and some of the area's best sunset views. Slow down, travel well, and discover why so many visitors fall in love with Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Don’t Chocolate Makers Compete?
Many people assume chocolate makers compete with one another. In reality, bean-to-bar chocolate is built on curiosity, collaboration, and a shared love of cacao. Discover why every chocolate maker brings a unique perspective to the same remarkable ingredient.
A Local's Guide to the Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Planning a trip to Puerto Viejo? Explore the best beaches, wildlife experiences, rainforest hikes, kayaking, snorkeling, chocolate making, Indigenous culture, and hidden gems with our local guide to Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Why People Are Trying to Replace Cacao
Around the world, food companies are searching for alternatives to cacao as climate change, disease, and rising prices reshape the chocolate industry. But beyond the headlines lies a more interesting question: if chocolate flavour can be recreated, what makes cacao truly special? This article explores the industry's search for cocoa alternatives—and why the story of real cacao is about far more than flavour.