Big Island chocolatier on a mission to transform nourishing cacao into chocolate

Did you know that Hawaiʻi is the only state where cacao can be farmed? In fact, Hakalau on the Hāmākua coast has been called the “Napa Valley for chocolate” due to the number of cacao farms and chocolate makers.

The Conversation caught up with science writer and science artist Raven Hanna, whose newly published guide “One Cacao Tree” is aimed at hobbyists who would like to make chocolate from homegrown cacao pods or bought at the farmers market.

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Collecting cacao pods

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Harvesting

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Holding an open pod

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Cracking pods on the lawn

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Jar cooler ferment

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Fermenting cacao pods

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Drying with bucket tray

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Winnowing

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Turmeric/olena cacao treats

Courtesy Raven Hanna

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Caramel turtle

Courtesy Raven Hanna

“One Cacao Tree, a guide to backyard cocoa, tiny fermentations, and chocolate making in the tropics” is available online. Hanna will have a booth at the East Hawaiʻi Master Gardeners Plant Sale in Hilo on Sunday, Jan. 29.

This interview aired on The Conversation on Jan. 11, 2023. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.