Cacao Stories with Viva Cacao — Chocolate

Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand, but have you ever wondered why? The holiday’s history dates back to ancient Rome, where the festival Lupercalia celebrated love and fertility. Later, the story of St. Valentine, a priest who secretly married couples against the emperor’s orders, added a romantic touch. By the 1800s, handwritten love notes turned into mass-produced valentines—and that’s when chocolate made its grand entrance. Thanks to the Victorians, who believed chocolate had love-enhancing properties, gifting sweets became the ultimate romantic gesture. Today, nothing says “I love you” like rich, handcrafted chocolate—especially when it’s made with care and...

Meet Beth Campbell: The Heart & Soul Behind Viva Cacao Nestled in the stunning mountains of southeastern British Columbia, Beth Campbell is crafting chocolate that not only delights the taste buds but nourishes the soul. From her home in the Kootenays, surrounded by towering cedar trees, majestic elk, and graceful white swans, she creates each batch of Viva Cacao’s exquisite treats with passion and care. Beth's journey into the world of artisan chocolate began with a simple yet profound desire: to offer healthier, more wholesome options to her community. Though she had no formal experience in chocolate-making, her passion for...

At Viva Cacao, we believe chocolate is more than just a treat. It’s an opportunity to nourish your body and soul. That’s why we go beyond traditional recipes, blending premium cacao with carefully chosen superfoods to create chocolate that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. Let’s take a closer look at the superfoods that make our chocolate so special. The Superfood Base: Cacao It all starts with our ethically sourced Arriba Nacional cacao from Ecuador and fine aromatic cacao from Peru. Packed with antioxidants, magnesium, and flavonoids, cacao is a superfood in its own right. It supports heart health, boosts...

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....