Venezuela produces some of the finest cocoa in the world - most of it is exported to Europe for processing into expensive chocolate. Jeff Moore of Just Us Coffee Roasters Coop says that the international chocolate industry "has been built by a handful of large multinationals with a disdainful history of slavery and quasi-slavery; and colonialism and neo-colonialism." I recently journeyed to Chuao, a remote former African slave colony close to Henri Pittier National Park in the northwest of Venezuela. This thriving little town, which can only be accessed by the sea, is home to a cocoa cooperative. Ironically, they are still selling their beans to french traders -- maybe not for long!!
Click on "slideshow" for the best views here:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jay.hartling/CacaoChuao
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Hola,
I just saw your post, nice photos. I just got back from Chuao and posted a blog with photos about it... The cacao goes to Italy mainly. Tuscany. Check it out:
http://www.venezuelanodyssey.blogspot.com/2007/08/chuao-in-search-of-worlds-finest-cocoa.html
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