SAO TOMÉ – MATÔ MUÍO
São Tomé and Principe was the first African place where cacao was grown, and the country is still known as the “chocolate islands”. The combination of climate and volcanic soil results in a distinctive ‘terroir’. Smallholder farmers grow cacao and bring it to a central fermentation unit. Premiums are paid for quality and organic.
Location
- Region: Mé-Zóchi & Lobata
- Source: private initiative
Quality
- Variety: Amelonado, Forastero and Trinitario types
- Flavor: Bold, intense chocolate base with notes of dried prunes and a herbal hint
- Fermentation: Centrally, 6 days in horizontal wooden boxes
- Drying: Sun-dried on covered wooden beds
Certification
Not certified, but organic (by nature)
Supply Chain
100% traceable supply chain. EUDR READY!
People
MLM collaborates with a network of 200 dedicated local smallholder farmers –ensuring that their hard work results in beans perfectly suited for fine chocolate makers. Beyond quality, these farmers benefit from social security, assistance in formalising land titles, and support to enhance their farming practices.
Forest & Nature
The cacao grows in agroforestry, which creates a buffer zone to protect the nature parks. Farmers intercrop cacao with a wide variety of food and cash crops, including breadfruit, jackfruit, pepper, vanilla, papaya, mango, banana, coconut, and ylang ylang.
