SAO TOMÉ – CANTAGALO ORGANIC
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: Cantagalo, São Tomé Island, São Tomé & Principe
- Source: cooperative
Quality
- Variety: Amelonado, Forastero and Trinitario types
- Flavor: Intense chocolaty, roasted cacao, herbal, spicy hint
- Fermentation: Centrally, 5-7 days wooden boxes
- Drying: natural drying on covered African beds
Certification
Organic and Fair trade certification.
Supply Chain
100% traceable supply chain. Farmers cell wet beans to central fermentary.
People
Cecaq-11 is one of the few cooperatives at the island, and that has it’s positive impact for the farmers. Farmers bring their wet beans to the cooperatives post-harvest center and receive a fixed and premium price for organic and fair trade, and as well a premium for quality.
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.
