Cárdenas Chocolate

Cárdenas Chocolate From Heritage Cacao to Speciality Chocolate

31/08/2026

Ecuador’s cacao moment

The fifth edition of .ecu , organised by , was a reminder that cacao is culture, landscape and innovation.

The week began with the “Cacao Ecuatoriano” campaign at the Club de la Unión, followed by a tasting curated by showcasing the remarkable diversity of Ecuador’s cacao regions.

At UEES, producers from Guayas, Esmeraldas, Manabí, Los Ríos, El Oro and the Amazon met chocolatiers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders, connecting tradition with innovation, technology and sustainability. Ecuador expects to export 650,000 tonnes of cacao in 2026.

A highlight was “Women in Cacao”, where we had the privilege of joining to discuss our journey as founder of Cárdenas Chocolate and author of “Tierra Hermosa: an Ecuadorian tale of chocolate,” alongside women shaping the future of the industry.

The week closed with Cacao de Excelencia – Ecuador Edition, celebrating origin, flavour and traceability.

Chokao was more than a trade fair. It was a statement about Ecuador’s place in the modern chocolate landscape — a story that, at Santa Ana-La Florida, dates back approximately 5,500 years.

07/07/2026

Celebrating World Chocolate Day from Tierra Hermosa, Ecuador.

“Artisan products are those made by artisans, either entirely by hand, or with the help of manual tools or even mechanical means, provided that the artisan’s direct contribution is a component of the finished product. They use raw materials from sustainable resources. Their nature has distinctive characteristics which may be utilitarian, aesthetic, artistic, creative, cultural, decorative, functional, traditional, symbolic...”

From the book Tierra Hermosa: an Ecuadorian tale of chocolate.

14/06/2026

El cacao Nacional es herencia, es cultura, es nuestro. “Cuando creas un chocolate en origen estás fabricando un producto complejo que conecta la cultura con un territorio y el fortalecimiento de una región.”

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Nacional cacao is heritage, it is culture, it is ours. “Crafting chocolate at origin results in a complex product that connects culture with a territory and deals with strengthening a local community.”

¡Gracias! Thank you, San Francisco and Palo Alto, for joining us at the book presentation of “Tierra Hermosa: an Ecuador...
09/06/2026

¡Gracias! Thank you, San Francisco and Palo Alto, for joining us at the book presentation of “Tierra Hermosa: an Ecuadorian tale of chocolate” and enjoying the journey to our region through the flavours of our 2026 harvest!

What a lovely and engaging audience you were.

Special thanks to for your warm welcome.

01/06/2026

From the book Tierra Hermosa: an Ecuadorian tale of chocolate.

“In the heart of this forest located in the high Ecuadorian Amazon at an altitude of 900 metres, the remains of the Mayo-Chinchipe- Marañon civilisation were found, which developed between 5300 and 5500 years ago.

At the ceremonial site, they discovered a tomb with offerings that included pots, stone bowls, ceramic vessels and ceramic bottles with food and drinks intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The finding drew international attention and brought together a team of experts, archaeologists, paleobotanists and researchers from around the world, including Dr Sonia Zerillo (Canada), Dr Claire Lanaud (France), Dr Terry Powis (USA), among others. “They established the presence of maise and cacao in the bottles from the ceremonial centre and other settlements nearby Santa Ana - La Florida”, said Dr Francisco Valdez.

Carbon-14 testing showed that these bottles and ceramics contained traces of domesticated cacao (of the Nacional variety), never before found on the American continent.”

Join us on June 5 at Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco and on June 6 in Palo Alto for our book presentation.
Link in bio.

21/05/2026

Tierra Hermosa, 2026 Harvest, Nacional Cacao. Harvested in early May by Leonardo Andrade and his team in the Chone Valley, Manabí, Ecuador.

Arriving June 5 in San Francisco.

The book tour continues, with a return to San Francisco.On June 5, we will be presenting “Tierra Hermosa: An Ecuadorian ...
19/05/2026

The book tour continues, with a return to San Francisco.

On June 5, we will be presenting “Tierra Hermosa: An Ecuadorian Tale of Chocolate”, thanks to an invitation from

The evening will include a presentation of the book along with a tasting of Cárdenas Chocolate 2026 harvest.

If you are in the Bay Area, you are most welcome to join us.

Link in bio.

12/05/2026

“Tierra Hermosa: una historia ecuatoriana de chocolate” regresa a la capital del cacao de Latinoamérica, Guayaquil

Los guayaquileños tienen grabado en su ADN el aroma del cacao y el sentimiento de cómo este fruto marcó la vida de su ciudad y del Ecuador.
Ya en octubre de 2025 presentamos el libro “Tierra Hermosa: una historia ecuatoriana de chocolate” en el icónico , pero el compromiso era volver para compartir esta historia con más productores de cacao, chocolatiers, fabricantes de chocolate, amantes de la cultura y jóvenes estudiantes.
Gracias a la invitación de mantuvimos un conversatorio con Nicolás Romero ante un público ávido de recordar la historia y conocer la situación actual del cacao y del chocolate en Ecuador. “El cacao es el que moderniza al país”, enfatizó Nicolás.
La siguiente invitación fue a la prestigiosa , donde compartimos un panel con su director, .santiago, y la master chocolatier, . Terminamos la mañana con la firma de libros, una exquisita cata de y un melodioso maridaje con el vino ecuatoriano .

Gracias, Guayaquil. Siempre nos haces sentir en casa. ———-
Tierra Hermosa: An Ecuadorian Tale of Chocolate Returns to Guayaquil

Cacao has shaped Guayaquil and Ecuador for generations. After presenting “Tierra Hermosa” in October 2025, the author returned to share the story with cacao producers, chocolatiers, students, and culture enthusiasts.

Invited by Librería Española, they discussed Ecuador’s cacao legacy with Nicolás Romero, who emphasised its role in modernising the country. At the School of Chefs, a panel with Santiago Granda and Nathalie Areco ended with a book signing, chocolate tasting, and wine pairing.

Thank you, Guayaquil—you always feel like home.

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