Foundry Chocolate - Masidau Farm, Vanuatu 70%

There’s a little farm, on a little South Pacific island growing cacao with enormous flavour. We use the simple ingredient from Masidau Farm from Epi, Vanuatu to make a very sophisticated chocolate that leaves a delightfully long impression.

While Masidau Farm, Epi, Vanuatu evokes moreish flavours of toffee, caramel and mocha, it’s simply the cacao’s origin talking – plus organic cane sugar and our obsession for preserving the flavours of provenance. And because your senses are unique, you may discover characters and aromas others may not – that’s the magic of Foundry Chocolate.

⋄ 70g
⋄ 2018 vintage
⋄ Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free and 100% Plant Based.

Please note the batch number you receive will differ from the one pictured.

Origin:
This cacao is grown by Joseph Merib on his farm near the town of Burumba on the island of Epi, Vanuatu. Joseph’s farm is called Masidau, which translates to Green Hill, and is on family owned customary land.
He started growing cacao in 2002, and also ferments the beans himself. Joseph and his wife run the farm, and his children and some local women help out at harvest time.
Joseph also grows other root crops (banana, taro, manioc, kumala) and nut trees (nangai) as well as kava.
He has been the Chairman of Vanuatu Cocoa Industry Association since 2017.
We purchase the cacao directly from Joseph, and pay a premium price that reflects the high quality of his beans.
Epi's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, with farmers historically growing coconuts, copra, peanuts and kava. However as demand for high quality cacao increases, more farmers are switching to growing it.
The island of Epi is 43 km long and 18km wide, with a population of approximately 5,000 people. The highest point is the dormant Mt Pomare, at 833m, and the island has plenty of rugged and terrain and thick rainforest. Epi has many beautiful beaches, spectacular snorkelling, and even has resident Dugongs (Sea-Cows).