Central America, neighboring Nicaragua and Panama

In the rainy, languid lowlands of north-central Costa Rica, Gail’s good friend Hugo Hermelink is working hard to bring cacao back. This traditional crop was nearly wiped out by disease three decades ago. Hugo is on a mission, creating new cacao tree varietals on his farm and reaching out to help smaller cacao farmers throughout the country.

The cacao grown on Hugo’s farm and processed in his small factory is a wonder. Since Gail brings it back twice a year herself, it’s the freshest chocolate you’ll ever have. This is big-flavored, truly dark chocolate with waves of black olive and toast that flood your palate.