Listen: Farm Traveler Podcast – All about Hawaiian chocolate

My guest today on the Farm Traveler podcast is Daeus Bencomo, from Lavaloha farm in Hawaii. Today, Daeus will walk us through chocolate production, from cocoa bean to chocolate bark, the role volcanic soils play in giving their chocolate a unique flavor profile, and how their farm tours are a huge hit with tourists.

Talking points:

Lavahola Chocolate

Growing chocolate on the side of a mountain

What is “single-origin” chocolate?

Growing in volcanic soil

Harvesting cocoa beans and turning it into chocolate bark

History of chocolate

Difference between dark, milk, and lite chocolates

Farm tours

COVID-19’s impact on the farm

Misconceptions on farming