Profile: smooth cocoa with woody and dried fruit notes
Program created in 2001
3,108 partner growers
SÃO TOMÉ, THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD ARCHIPELAGO
São Tomé is an island of wild beauty, still preserved from the rest of the world. Located off Gabon, it was the first African land to cultivate cocoa. When Kaoka’s founder first arrived in São Tomé, he fell under the charm of both the country and its people. However, the cultivation of cocoa had been abandoned for many years (following the independence of the island in 1975).
This was in 2001 and everything had to be started from scratch.
THE CREATION OF A STRONG AND UNITED COOPERATIVE
Les producteurs sont rassemblés en associations, elles-mêmes regroupées sous une seule coopérative : la CECAB, créée en 2005. Kaoka organise la coordination entre les communautés et la production du cacao en bio.
The necessary infrastructure (fermentation vats, solar dryers, storage facilities) is being built to process São Toméan cocoa under the best possible conditions.
Reviving the production of organic and fair-trade cocoa on the island
The island’s cocoa trees, planted over 40 years ago, were becoming very old. The sharp decline in cocoa production was jeopardising the growers’ livelihoods and incomes. That is why, in 2012, following the same model as our cocoa program in Ecuador, we undertook a project to renew the unproductive cocoa plantations.
High-performing, hardy cocoa trees with excellent aromatic potential are identified. They are then propagated by grafting in nurseries.
A stock of saplings is then made available to growers, who can replant them in the gaps in their plantations and graft their old trees to give them a new lease of life. Growers are trained in all the necessary agricultural techniques. This is a long-term endeavour that enables growers to see their harvests improve year on year, and consequently their incomes.
The project is a game-changer for the country! CECAB is rapidly becoming – and remains – the country’s leading exporter.
A natural agroforestry model
On the island, cocoa trees grow naturally alongside many other food crops (banana, jackfruit, mango, papaya, vanilla, etc.). In São Tomé, cocoa is traditionally grown using agroforestry methods.
The Amelonado cocoa variety: a distinctive flavour profile
Grown on the unspoilt volcanic soils of São Tomé, the Amelonado variety possesses a unique character. It is characterised by wonderful notes of dried fruit and woody aromas. Its smoothness and richness on the palate make for an excellent dark chocolate.
Top notes
Fresh fruit (apple, pear)
Dried fruit (almonds, hazelnuts)
Heart notes
Cocoa & Chocolate (pronounced)
Background notes
Dry woody
Heavy tobacco note
Caramel
A wonderful story of people and values to discover in this video:
Discover how KAOKA has saved the production of aromatic cocoa in São Tomé through a fascinating journey through its volcanic landscapes and lush forests.
Key figures
23 years of action
pour relancer la culture du cacao à São Tomé et permettre aux producteurs santoméens de vivre dignement de leur métier.
3108
partner growers in 2022
199 ha
of redensified agroforestry systems to improve ecological diversity in 2021 and 2022
86 422
Cocoa trees of the Amelonado variety have been distributed to our partner growers since 2018 to enable them to renew their plantations and ensure a sustainable income
100%
the boundaries of our partner growers’ plots in São Tomé have been georeferenced and digitised
Zero deforestation
Kaoka adheres to a rigorous set of standards developed in collaboration with grower organisations to guarantee you deforestation-free cocoa
