La Ruta del Cacao, an Experience like no other, by Chef Germán Ghelfi
A Field Day in Vinces
First day, incredible to connect with the countryside, the farmers and the love they put into their work. It connects me with my childhood, my childhood in the countryside of Córdoba, Argentina.
For those who don't know I'm a #childoffarmers raised in the countryside, so my connection to the land and planting something is in my DNA.
La Leche
Second day, today we visited the Sierra with its dairy community in Turucucho at 3200 meters above sea level, incredible experience, spectacular people. Maria, a super hostess, told me some incredible facts about the cows, some of them have names, she milks them twice a day and they give 35 liters of milk.
This cooperative called Asociación Campoverde is the collection center for the milk that República del Cacao uses for its chocolates. Again the connection with the countryside, the animals and the people is unique, I also had the pleasure of catching a trout, something I haven't done for a long time.
The Miracle of Panela
Third day, we went down to the subtropical forest outside Quito at 1800 meters above sea level, a dense vegetation very green and with a lot of humidity, to know the miracle of the panela.
A process from the field to the end with a lot of dedication and people in love with their craft that produce the magic. Undoubtedly connecting with nature and the origin of the products opens a different window to the understanding of what we do.
The Factory
Fourth day, we reach the end of this adventure in the plant where the magic to create chocolate is produced, after all the work of farmers and people who put love and dedication to the land. Engineers and alchemists come together with the same passion to create a unique product for us to taste, share and create new experiences.
I felt like Willy Wonka in this factory, without a doubt a spectacular experience, I enjoyed every step of this "cocoa route".