About

Silva sources specialty cacao with an identity, directly from origin, connecting amazing cacao producers & passionate chocolate makers. We have an unmatched fingerprint and focus on flavour, forests, farmers and the future.

Our beans have a unique flavour profile and identity based on where, how and by whom they are produced. We invite you to share the story behind your chocolate with your clients, and make a difference by sourcing cacao with an identity.

How we work

As a specialty cacao importer, we dedicate a lot of time in sourcing the highest quality of cacao beans in the world. This is very intense work which we realise in collaboration with our partner farmers and fermentation experts. Climate conditions in combination with genetic diversity, controlled harvesting, strict fermentation and drying protocols and proper care in every step of the supply chain results in distinctive and unique flavour profiles. We invest a lot of time in training, testing, tasting and calibration to define which quality profiles will make the difference in the market.

A better cacao world

At Silva we dream to make the cacao and chocolate world a better place for all: farmers, supply chain partners, chocolate makers and consumers. We believe in a different way of doing business by sourcing cacao with an identity, building genuine and strong partnerships together and investing time, money and energy in our partners.

The brand

Silva means forest in Latin, which emphasizes the origin of cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.), native to lowland rainforests of the Amazon and Orinoco river basin. Silva: noun, sil·​va | \ˈsil-və \, the forest trees of a region or country.

Over the past decades, vast areas have been deforested to plant commercial varieties of cacao. With Silva we source and promote premium cacao growth in sustainable agroforestry systems while conserving forests and natural resources.

Team

We are a passionate team providing unique cacao qualities and tailored solutions. To us, this is the basis of a genuine and strong partnership together. Strong partnerships do not exist without mutual respect and trust. Our partner farmers respect and trust us for creating stability and thinking long term and our customers trust our quality selections.

To build meaningful chocolate partnerships together, we first need to get to know each other. Tell us who you are, what you are looking for and we will start from there. 

Reach out to our cacao experts:

Katrien Delaet

CHIEF CACAOPRENEUR

Katrien is a cacao and chocolate lover, and the driving force behind Silva. She holds a master degree in bio-science engineering and economics, and has over 15 years of experience in coffee & cacao sourcing, logistics, quality & sustainability. Building meaningful partnerships and making sure that our society & environment evolve in a sustainable way is what makes her truly enthusiastic. It’s Katrien’s quest to put a smile on the faces of farmers, chocolatemakers, & consumers.

Jan Vermeulen

CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

Jan is a trained wine lover and knows his way around international cuisine. He is curious, enthusiastic and eager to unleash his taste buds and taste skills on cacao. Building relationships in a positive and inspiring way has always been paramount to Jan. With Silva, he can now also generate a positive impact on society; Jan is looking forward to making the (cacao)world a better, tastier and more fun place.

Coralie Gauthier

CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

Coralie previously worked as export sales manager and international trade consultant in the F&B industry. Coralie has a natural cross-cultural mindset, which can be attributed to her previous education and work experiences in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Passionate about craft chocolate and an advocate of forest conservation and well-being of cacao producers, teaming up with Silva is obvious and proof of this.

Ricardo Ulrix

CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

Ricardo is a certified wine, tea & coffee taster, and a seasoned connoisseur of cacao & chocolate. His studies in agricultural engineering, and professional background as consultant & broker in international trade of tropical soft commodities are the perfect combo to support you in smart cacao choices. Ricardo lives in Spain and becomes truly enthusiastic when he can combine his passion for food, tasting & market intelligence!