We combine passion and skill to make the best chocolates using only the best ingredients. Our team is made up of people who live in the Chocó Andino region, in the area of San José de Mashpi.
We are always ready to lend a hand in all the tasks on the farm. All members are deeply familiar with each step of the agroecological production and processing of cocoa.
Agus
She designs new products in an integrated manner and is in charge of supplying our laboratory with the best raw materials. Her favorite job, in addition to innovating and exploring hundreds of possibilities with cocoa, is working on the agroforestry management of the farm and giving agroforestry workshops, and on the cultivation system that replicates the strategies of the native forest and that we apply in our cocoa plantations.
Alex
The reserve's ecologist. In addition to having in-depth knowledge of everything related to cocoa cultivation and working directly in its production, he is in charge of planting other species that accompany the cocoa trees. He does research on biodiversity and is a naturalist with a fierce gaze and feline intuition. Alejo also guides visitors on the farm and gives workshops on the permacultural management of our crop and our reserve.
Kari
She was born and lives in San José de Mashpi. She has the spirit of an artist! She has been working on the project for 12 years, almost from the beginning! During this time she has become an expert in chocolate making. She always gets the spices right: their proportions and qualities. When necessary, she enjoys working on the farm, especially during the harvest.
Manu
She is in charge of sales and distribution and is always looking for new opportunities and contacts, both for Chocolate Mashpi and for other producing families.
Manu has extensive knowledge of international trade and is the person who made it possible for Chocolate Mashpi to reach various corners of the world, both within Ecuador and abroad. He is in constant contact with our partners in the United States and our distributors in Europe and Japan.
Frame
Marco is passionate about nature and is the main grower on the farm. He has been working at Mashpi Chocolate for 13 years. He has become an expert in organic farming and in the management of domestic cocoa. He has an unrivalled knowledge of peasant life, capable of repairing an airplane with a beer cap, and of doing practically anything!
Mickey
This young man has always been characterized by being motivated and willing to learn. Today he has earned the position of associate chocolatier. He works in the preparation of all the processed products that leave the farm. During the time he has been linked to Mashpi Chocolate, he has become an expert in all the processes of transformation of raw materials, especially the roasting of cocoa beans, always achieving the best results. His smile makes anyone happy and his commitment is another of his hallmarks.
Valeria
Valeria is our representative in the United States and is Manu's sister-in-law. She takes care of all the imports we send there and is always looking for ways to support the project from afar, whether by selling our chocolate or telling our story wherever she goes.
Nuestros legendarios colaboradores
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Mamba
Our beloved Mamba has been on the farm since the project began, and she always accompanies the team in all the farm tasks. She enjoys sucking on any almond that comes her way and is a faithful defender of the National Cocoa. She has fun watching the Agoutis and gets along well with the chickens.
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Bilimbi
He was recently added to the team. His main task is to chase away agoutis to prevent them from eating the cocoa and cassava. He runs after them, although he never manages to catch any and quickly loses interest. The rest of his day is spent tasting all the varieties of bananas we grow on the farm – he can eat up to 15 in one day! He bears this beautiful name in honour of the bilimbi tree, a delicious and versatile fruit from South East Asia.
Client's Reviews
Juan Sebastian SerranoGreat experience, a lot of knowledge about sustainable ways of living and agriculture. Delicious chocolates.
Diego Haeussler PerezWonderful learning experience about the creation of the structure of “The Soil” of the planet, within the framework of the Permaculture course of the Seed Guardian Network. We reproduce Native Mountain Microorganisms, we make Biol, Bokashi and we visit the new Quinta Agro Forestal Sintrópica that they promoted with the great Namaste of Brazil 🇧🇷We tasted delicious chocolate.
Lucho Moreno SamboninoBeautiful place... Incredible nature... Ideal to learn more about artisanal chocolate and the work to conserve the forests of the Chocó Andean... Highly recommended...!!
Vladimir MelendezIt is a beautiful place to spend a Sunday with the family.
Alejandro R-StatisticsA place to disconnect from everything