FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS $45 AND OVER 100% Naturally Grown Cacao | Transparent Trade Certified INGREDIENTS: Cacao (Cocoa) Beans, Roasted and Ground. That's It! BEAN ORIGIN: Tumaco, Colombia ROAST PROFILE: Medium FLAVOR PROFILE: Dark Fudge, Roasted Marshmallow, Vanilla Cream This isn't coffee. It's not hot chocolate. It's something better. Whole cacao beans roasted and ground specifically for brewing, delivering rich, dark chocolate flavor that's chock full of antioxidants, minerals, and theobromine, which provides a much gentler energy boost than caffeine that keeps you going all day without the crash. BEAN BACKSTORY: "The Creamiest Cacao We've Ever Had The Pleasure of Tasting" Nestled along Colombia's misty Pacific coast, where ocean meets rainforest, lie the clonal gardens of the Asociación de Productores Cacaoteros (ASPROCAT). Here, nine endemic cacao varieties flourish under the care of generational farming families. ASPROCAT represents something extraordinary: a collective of nearly 1,000 Afro-Colombian families all sharing the same goal: to preserve their heritage rather than profit from it. The families of Tumaco have been stewards of Colombian cacao for centuries. When government programs in the 1940s and '50s promoted modern hybrid varieties for higher yields, many Tumaco producers said no. They understood something precious would be lost: the very soul of Colombian cacao. Now working with University of Nariño researchers, these communities have become vital guardians of cacao biodiversity. This exceptional cacao is the result of generations who refused to let their ancestral treasures disappear, and their commitment to preservation shines in every cup. OUR PROCESS: We source our cacao through Transparent Trade partners, ensuring complete supply chain traceability, fair pricing, and meaningful farmer connections. Transparent Trade creates the foundation for everything we believe in: knowing exactly where our beans come from, deeply understanding the farmers' stories who grow them, and working exclusively with growers committed to ethical, sustainable practices that produce the highest quality cacao using traditional methods perfected over generations. When our beans reach us here in the Pacific Northwest, we roast everything in small batches using profiles perfected specifically for brewing cacao, not chocolate making. We grind each batch to the ideal consistency for brewing, so whether you're using a French press or steeping bags, you get that perfect cup every time. Rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying. FAQ: What exactly is brewing cacao? It's whole organic cacao beans that we roast and grind specifically for brewing, not chocolate making. Think coffee alternative that brews just like coffee in your French press or coffee maker, but gives you rich, chocolatey flavor with gentle energy instead of jitters. How do I brew it? Super easy! Use 1 tablespoon per 8oz of water, just like coffee. French press for 10 minutes, drip coffee maker, or try our steeping bags that work like tea. The coarser grind makes it perfect for any brewing method. What does it taste like? Think dark, rich, robust chocolate - not milk chocolate or typical hot chocolate. If you've ever had an 80% cacao chocolate bar, it's like that but even richer and creamier. Our Tumaco has incredible notes of dark fudge, roasted marshmallow, and vanilla cream. It's naturally chocolatey on its own, but add milk and sweetener to create the most decadent hot chocolate you've ever had. What are the benefits of brewing cacao? Cacao has theobromine instead of high caffeine, so you get sustained energy without the crash or jitters. Plus it's packed with antioxidants, magnesium, and iron. Our motto: "less jolt, more joy." ADDITIONAL INFO: See our BREWING GUIDE on all the ways to brew your own delicious 'cup-a-cao!' See our RECIPES page for how Understory Brewing Cacao can be used for more than just brewing! See our CACAO 101 page if you're curious to learn more about what brewing cacao, and cacao in general, is all about!
