At Cacao Adventures, sourcing cacao is more than just a transaction—it’s a relationship built on respect, collaboration, and long-term impact. We work directly with farming communities in remote regions of Peru who care for wild and native cacao strains, passed down through generations.
One of our most meaningful relationships is with the Awajún community in the Amazon. We don’t just buy cacao—we help during harvest and post-harvest, and maintain an open dialogue with the community leaders, including the Apu (chief). This close relationship ensures transparency, consistency, and a shared vision for protecting ancestral knowledge and preserving biodiversity.
We also ensure that we purchase cacao from these communities, offering a stable and dignified source of income. Our difference? While many brands source from brokers or co-ops, we go to the source. Jose, our co-founder, visits these communities at least once a year to ensure consistent quality and offer training in fermentation and drying techniques that elevate the quality of their cacao. By improving these methods, farmers can command higher prices—and we pay above-market rates to honor that work.
We also keep our supply chain short and intentional. That means fewer hands between the farmer and your cup. This not only ensures traceability and freshness—it reflects our commitment to real relationships and real impact.
Because when you enjoy a cup of Cacao Adventures, you’re not just tasting high-quality cacao—you’re supporting a better way of doing business. A way rooted in integrity, transparency, and heart.
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.