In 2006, when Cotton Tree Lodge was still under construction, Business Manager Jeff Pzena bought what he thought were almonds in the Punta Gorda farmers market and discovered that he actually had cocoa beans.He became more and more interested in chocolate, visiting cacao farms around Toledo. He learned how to make it himself in his apartment using equipment purchased online.Jeff began producing Cotton Tree Chocolate’ at the lodge as a casual side-project and part of the Chocolate Week Itinerary.Two participants on the February 2008 Chocolate Week thought the product had potential.They decided to invest with Jeff and launched Cotton Tree Chocolate the May 2008 Toledo Cacao Festival.
For the first few months, Cotton Tree Chocolate was produced in a small, climate-controlled room behind the Main Lodge. In less than a year, the company was selling its bars all over Belize and moved into its own factory space in Punta Gorda in April 2009. The factory is open to Cotton Tree Lodge guests, and tours of the facilities are regularly scheduled.
Each batch of Cotton Tree Lodge is made from a single harvest from a single farmer. A slip of paper packed with each chocolate bar includes information about the cacao grower.The beans are purchased through the Toledo Cacao Grower’s Association (Cacao Fest, a cooperative in Punta Gorda, ensuring that all of the beans used are Fair Trade and organic.Cotton Tree Chocolate is available in 70% Dark, 55% Dark Milk, and 40% Light Milk bars.
This special Chocolate Week will be hosted by knowledgable and engaging staff from Taza. Learn how cacao is grown, harvested, and processed; meet Mayan farmers; explore issues of Fair Trade; and have a truly unique adventure in Belize!
Spend a week with Cotton Tree Lodge and Cotton Tree Chocolate learning the history, politics, and processes of chocolate making while exploring the beautiful country of Belize.Daily hands-on workshops are designed to guide you through every step of the process, from picking cacao to molding and packaging bars.Workshops are complimented by excursions to local villages, farms, and cultural sites.
Day 1: Transfer to Cotton Tree Lodge by boat via the Moho River, check into your cabana, and attend a Welcome Dinner and Chocolate Tasting.
Day 2: Visit a local organic cacao farm. Learn about the cacao fruit and pick the pods that you will process into chocolate. Lunch and a Mayan Chocolate Making workshop at the farmer’s home. Return to the lodge, open the pods and begin the fermentation process.
Day 3: Visit the Punta Gorda Farmers Market where cacao is sold. Meet with members of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association and learn about Fair Trade and the politics and economics of chocolate. Optional afternoon excursion to Rio Blanco waterfalls.
Day 4: Free day to spend any way you wish. Choose amongst the lodge’s regularly scheduled tours or enjoy free time on the grounds to go swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking, or horseback riding.
Day 5: Hands-On Chocolate Making Workshop: Introduction to roasting, winnowing, crushing, and conching. Discussion on ingredient storage and recipe formulation. Free afternoon on the grounds.
Day 6: Spend the morning on one of our guided jungle treks, cave explorations, or Mayan ruin tours. Afternoon tour of the Cotton Tree Lodge cacao plantation where you will plant and tag your own cacao tree.
Day 7: Hands-On Chocolate Making Workshop: Introduction to tempering, molding, and packaging. You will make your own chocolate bars to bring home! Farewell Dinner at the lodge.
Day 8: Transfer out, connections home.
Chocolate Weeks are held several times a year but space is limited. Packages are 8 days/7 nights and include meals, workshops, excursions, and Punta Gorda airport transfers.This itinerary can be adapted to the needs of independent groups wishing to schedule their own chocolate events. Rates start at $1,572 per person based on double occupancy.
