While the vast majority of travelers will associate Fiji only with resorts, pristine beaches, and tribal dances, some visitors will manage to glimpse another side of the islands. For over 100 years, Fijians have been growing cacao, sometimes sporadically, to be sold into the international market. But in recent years, the Pacific Island nation has seen a local chocolate industry appear and slowly develop, similar to what’s happened in Hawaii.

Since 2005, the islands have had small-batch, direct-trade Fijian chocolate circulating to tourists and locals alike. To discover more about the mysterious tale of Fijian chocolate, I spoke with four people involved in various steps of the supply chain, from growing & harvesting cacao to making & selling chocolate. Today’s episode explores how the islands came to grow cacao, and what the vision is for its future.

To read an article related to this episode, click here.

Show notes: https://damecacao.com/chocolate-on-the-road-fiji/

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