It’s official—harvest season is here, and we’re kicking off the first fermentation of the season at Finca Chocolat! 🌱🍫
This year, the global cacao market is heating up again, with prices soaring and demand at an all-time high. We could sell this harvest 3–4 times over, highlighting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainably produced cacao. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season for producers—and we’re ready to make the most of it.
The Art & Science of Cacao Fermentation
Fermentation is a critical step in the post-harvest process that develops the rich flavors that chocolate makers and connoisseurs love. At Finca Chocolat, we take a natural, time-honored approach to fermentation to bring out the best in our cacao. Here’s how it works:
🍃 Wooden Box Fermentation – Freshly harvested cacao beans are placed into wooden fermentation boxes, which allow for proper aeration and drainage.
🍌 Lined with Banana or Plantain Leaves – This natural lining helps insulate the beans and enhances the fermentation process by encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes.
⏳ 5–6 Days of Fermentation – The duration depends on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. During this time, natural yeasts and bacteria break down the sugars, generating heat and triggering complex chemical reactions that develop the beans’ rich, chocolatey flavors.
☀️ Sun Drying to Perfection – Once fermentation is complete, the beans are spread out to sun dry until they reach 7% humidity or less. This final step preserves the beans and ensures they’re ready for storage, shipping, and eventually, chocolate production.
A Season of Opportunity
With strong demand and rising prices, this season is shaping up to be an exciting one for cacao producers. At Finca Chocolat, we remain committed to quality, sustainability, and ethical production, ensuring that every batch of cacao we produce meets the highest standards.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue harvesting, fermenting, and preparing this season’s cacao for the market. We can’t wait to see where these beans end up—and to taste the incredible chocolate they’ll become! 🍫🌍