Cacao, Gift of the Gods: Bridging the past and the present
República del Cacao was part of an exciting movement lead by the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, a scholar-led research organization that seeks to reduce information asymmetry in the cacao and chocolate value chain. Cacao the Gift of the Gods, an event held at the Museum of Food and Drink in New York, was a night of knowledge exchange, networking, and homage to the history of cacao. Chocolate researchers Jose Lopez Ganem (Boston University), Dr. Carla D. Martin (Harvard University), and Dr. Kathryn Sampeck (University of Reading) held intimate, expert-led tours of archeological Mesoamerican pieces related to cacao before they return to their countries of origin in Central America. At República del Cacao, we not only honor cacao, but also the cultures and communities that have grown it for centuries.
We promote the exchange of knowledge through events, workshops, trainings, courses, and projects with universities and institutes, with the aim of supporting the training of professionals and the continuation of the art of chocolate.
At the event, New York-based Pastry Chefs and Chocolatiers Jean-Louis Berthet (Executive Pastry Chef at Maman), Ursula XVII (Founder of Disset Chocolate, and Milène Jardine (Founder of Milène Jardine Chocolatier) were featured. Their chocolate creations were part of the sensory experience, a blend of the traditional and contemporary, paying homage to the cultural heritage of the Mesoamerican region.
Some of the delights featured were:
- Mexico 66% Dark Hot Chocolate: A modern take on traditional hot chocolate which used Mexican vanilla, espelette pepper, and white chocolate with roasted corn.
- Maman Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Milene Jardine Puriste Dark Chocolate Truffles.
- Disset Corn Brûlée Bar with Ecuador 33% White Chocolate with Roaster Corn.
- Assortment of passion fruit, blackberry, naranjilla, and mango bonbons.
At República del Cacao, we aim to create unforgettable experiences through our chocolates, creations, and events.
We invite our clients to discover the authentic flavors and impactful stories of our Latin American terroirs, elevating their chocolate journey.
