At Cacao Adventures, every bar, coin, and block of cacao starts with a relationship. Behind each origin is a story of wild strains, ancestral knowledge, and a deep collaboration with the Indigenous and rural farmers who grow this sacred plant.
Our co-founder, Jose, has spent over a decade working side by side with farming communities in remote areas of Peru—particularly with the Awajún people of the High Amazon, Kemito Ene, and more. Since Cacao Adventures started he has tried to travel into the jungle at least once a year, not only to source cacao, but to grow our network of farmers and train farmers in post-harvest techniques that improve quality, reduce contamination, and unlock the full potential of their wild cacao trees.
This isn't extractive trade. It's a true partnership.
Through hands-on workshops, we teach fermentation and drying methods that meet the highest purity standards. These practices ensure that the cacao develops rich flavor without accumulating excessive levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Better practices lead to cleaner cacao—and higher incomes. Because of this, we’re proud to pay above market prices for cacao that meets ceremonial-grade standards.
By focusing on quality at the source, we uplift entire communities while offering you the cleanest, most potent cacao we can.
For us, testing for heavy metals is the final step—not the first. The real work happens in the rainforest, with farmers who now know how to create cacao that’s not only beautiful, but safe and nourishing.
This is what sets Cacao Adventures apart:
🌱 Real relationships.
🧑🏽🌾 Farmer training and empowerment.
🧪 Rigorous testing for safety and integrity.
❤️ A deep respect for the plant, the people, and the purpose.
When you drink our cacao, you’re not just tasting the jungle—you’re tasting the result of care, respect, and collaboration.
Author
Jose Visconti - Founder and COO of Cacao Adventures
Background & Expertise
Jose has worked with Chocolate and Cacao since 2014 in various capacities; as an Agricultural Liaison for Bean-to-Bar chocolate companies, as a consultant to the International Trade Center, as a sourcer of Specialty Beans where he worked with Internationally renowned chefs, as the Chief of R&D and operations manager for specialty chocolate manufacturers. Jose has travelled throughout many parts of Peru to search for specialty cacao and holds unique knowledge in harvest and post-harvest processes that unlock the full potential of unique and special cacao beans.
Personal Connection to the Topic
Jose is not only a chocolate lover, but a nature and travel enthusiast as well. When he learned the full story of cacao, and how the original wild strains of cacao were in danger of extinction, he took it upon himself to find the right people on both sides of the supply chain to bring this issue to light through communication and product development; not just using words, but creating irresistible chocolate and cacao products to highlight the importance of preservation.
Mention why this work matters to them—especially if there's a cultural or emotional tie.