Cacao Stories with Viva Cacao — Cacao

Chocolate, a universal delight, transcends borders and cultures, creating unique experiences and recipes around the world. While its roots trace back to ancient Mesoamerica, chocolate has evolved and integrated into diverse culinary traditions globally. Let's embark on a delicious journey to explore how different cultures enjoy chocolate and the unique chocolate-based recipes they cherish. 1. Mexico: The Birthplace of Chocolate Chocolate’s history begins in Mexico, where the ancient Aztecs and Mayans revered cacao as a sacred gift from the gods. They enjoyed a bitter, frothy drink called "xocolatl," made from roasted cacao beans, water, and spices like chili and vanilla....

Maybe you have been hearing about the recent spike in the cost of cocoa and worried about how this might affect your chocolate-loving ways. Let me break this down to help you understand a little bit more about why this is happening and what we’re doing here at Viva Cacao to continue to offer the best quality vegan chocolate available in these unprecedented times. Climate change and disease have lowered the African cacao harvest which is where 70% of the world's cocoa comes from.  Because of this, the big players, such as Nestle, Mars, and Hershey’s have essentially scoured the...

At Viva Cacao, we are passionate about chocolate in all its forms. However, there are times when even the best chocolate can look a bit off. Ever noticed a white, powdery substance on your chocolate? That’s called chocolate bloom, and it can happen for a couple of reasons. Sugar Bloom Sugar bloom occurs when water comes into contact with chocolate. This often happens if the chocolate is stored in the fridge or a high-humidity environment. The white stuff you see on the surface is condensation. The chocolate absorbs the water, causing the sugar (in the case of Viva Cacao products,...

In an era where environmental sustainability is more critical than ever, the importance of sustainability in the food and beverage industry cannot be overstated. This sector, known for its substantial contribution to waste and carbon emissions, is uniquely responsible for adopting eco-friendly practices. At Viva Cacao, we are committed to leading by example to create a more sustainable future.  Overcoming Packaging Challenges at Viva Cacao At Viva Cacao, one of our most significant challenges was finding sustainable packaging. Traditional packaging materials are not biodegradable and contribute to long-term environmental pollution. We were determined to find a solution aligned with our...