Rare Hawaiian Chocolate Story
Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. where cacao can grow.
Cacao has been grown in Hawaii since the 1850s - primarily on the Big Island - but it never reached economic importance until recently.
About 14 years ago a new cacao project was started on former sugar land in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore - famous for its spectacular beaches and world-class surfing.
Here the tropical sun and rich volcanic soil create the perfect microclimate for cacao.
The Waialua region also draws less wind and rain than most places on the Big Island making it possibly the best place in the state of Hawaii for cacao production.
Cacao has been grown in Hawaii since the 1850s - primarily on the Big Island - but it never reached economic importance until recently.
About 14 years ago a new cacao project was started on former sugar land in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore - famous for its spectacular beaches and world-class surfing.
Here the tropical sun and rich volcanic soil create the perfect microclimate for cacao.
The Waialua region also draws less wind and rain than most places on the Big Island making it possibly the best place in the state of Hawaii for cacao production.
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Only about 18,000 lbs of cacao are produced each year in Waialua, making this single-estate chocolate one of the rarest in the world.
It is the very few American-grown single- estate chocolate. It may also be one of the most pampered chocolates in the world. Because it is grown in such a small area, special care can be given to each tree. The cacao pods are carefully harvested, and the nibs fermented then allowed to dry in the warm Hawaiian sun. Skilled chocolate artisans turn the nibs nto exquisite chocolate, one small batch at a time. Malie Kai's North Shore chocolate is sustainably grown. No pesticides are used on the trees, and the spent pods are composted and reapplied to the orchard. Malie Kai’s North Shore chocolate has a unique “Hawaiian taste”. The dark chocolate is rich and complex with notes of black currant. The milk chocolate is ultra-velvety with fruit and caramel notes. Both have perfect mouth-feel. |
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