49% Guatemala with Whole Milk

Our Guatemala milk chocolate has a robust chocolate base with slightly caramelized cocoa notes and is refined with a generous portion of whole milk.

The cocoa beans come from the Cahabón Valley in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, where the Federation of Cooperatives of Verapaz (FEDECOVERA) is based. This cooperative was founded in 1976 and is entirely run by small producers of the Maya Q’eqchi ethnicity. FEDECOVERA represents around 33,000 families organized in 42 cooperatives and over 21 associations. In addition to cocoa, these smallholder farmers also grow spices such as cardamom, coffee, tea, and sustainable timber.

Since 2011, cocoa has been part of FEDECOVERA’s value chain. Around 200 farmers produce approximately 115 tons of cocoa annually, cultivating it in an agroforestry system alongside other plants. This sustainable farming method ensures the farmers a stable income. The cocoa is purchased fresh in the pulp and centrally fermented in wooden boxes for 5–6 days before being sun-dried for 10–20 days.

The cooperative not only strengthens the economic situation of its members but also supports the community by building schools, local clinics, and providing microloans.