Lachua, Guatemala

Destination: Laguna Lachuá, Guatemala

We are headed to the department of Alta Verapaz in the northern region of Guatemala where we will be surrounded by dense tropical rain forest. The air is so thick and humid you can almost drink it.  As we stand quietly in this remote and remarkable land, what seemed silent starts to come alive as it gets used to our presence.  Dripping water, insects buzzing, birds (over 300 types including the keel-billed toucan, scarlet macaw and harpy eagle) start chattering again and they begin to move closer.  The air is punctured by the startling call of the howler monkey.  We detect a slight sulfurous smell wafting off the laguna (which may explain the origin of its name: "Lachuá" is derived from the Q'eqchi' words "la chu há" which means "the fetid water").  Rivers run in the distance and the forest floor rustles with unseen critters.  If we are quiet a little longer, perhaps we'll hear a jaguar.  Laguna Lachuá National Park, aka “Jewel of the Verapaz” hosts all of this with the nearly perfectly circular limestone lake with striking turquoise waters.  Hold that in your mind cacao voyagers, as we taste this special chocolate.  

Available in the Large 3 oz Grand Adventure Bar or in 0.4 oz Tasting Tiles, in your choice of Dark 70% and/or Dark Milk 58%.

Origin: Guatemala
Region/Farm: Lachuá
Genetics/Type: Iquitos Dominant, Trinitario, Amelonado, and Nacional
Cacao certifications: Organic

Chocolate makers notes: Honey, strawberries, nut, then black coffee (for the dark bar).  The dark version also ends with a surprising up-note of tangy raspberry cider - kind of like a hockey stick graph or the way a valley girl ends a sentence. The dark milk bar is smooth and creamy with all those notes but has a "softness" without any sharpness or intensity.  Also, if you're tasting in the evening, if you look up you'll notice more shooting stars than normal.

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter (milk varieties include whole milk powder)
Allergens: The dark-milk bar contains milk. (The dark bar is completely vegan)

Planted among the lush limestone hills surrounding Laguna Lachuá, a pristine karstic lake in Cobán, Lachuá cacao has a complex personality shaped by its unique soils and surrounding rainforest. These local cacao trees have been selected for both performance and flavor.

The small Q’eqchi’ Maya farmer communities of Lachuá have planted more than 245 hectares of new cacao since 2014. In addition to protecting the lake and strengthening local livelihoods, they are developing a biodiverse agroforestry system with other crops, including cardamom and chili peppers.  Thank you farmers!  We are utterly grateful.