Itacaré & Maraú: Agroforestry Cocoa Harvesting Tour with Tasting

What you will do

Step into the forest, learn about the origins of chocolate, and discover the flavors of agroecologically produced cocoa in southern Bahia. Visit an agroforestry farm near Itacaré and Piracanga, learn about the history of cocoa in the region, observe the production process, and participate in a tasting of cocoa honey, nibs, seeds, and artisanal chocolates. Have you ever imagined tasting cocoa directly from the forest where it is grown? In this experience, you will get to know the world of cocoa up close and discover how a fruit grown in the middle of the Atlantic Forest is transformed into chocolates full of aromas and flavors. Our visit takes place at the AMARAÚ Institute, about 20 minutes from Piracanga and 30 minutes from Itacaré. In an agroforestry cultivation area, you will be invited to slow down, walk through the forest, and learn about the relationship between cocoa, other plant species, and the surrounding environment. We begin by telling a little about the history of cocoa in southern Bahia and its importance to the culture and economy of the region. Next, we'll head to the agroforestry area, where you'll learn about the cacao trees and understand how this cultivation model, which integrates food production, biodiversity, and forest conservation, works. You'll also see a demonstration of our harvesting process and how we open the cacao pods, discovering what's inside each pod and how the seeds are carefully selected. Following that, we'll present the main steps that transform fresh seeds into quality cacao: separation, fermentation, and drying. You'll understand how each step influences the aromas, flavors, and characteristics of the chocolate that reaches our table. And, of course, the experience ends in the best way: tasting cacao, cupuaçu, and pataste in different forms. You'll have the opportunity to taste fresh seeds, cacao honey, nibs, and artisanal chocolates produced by Xêro Agroflorestal, noticing how the flavors and textures transform throughout the process. More than a visit, it's an opportunity to learn about the origin of chocolate, experience unique flavors, and connect with the forest and the cacao culture of southern Bahia.