Crop Chronicles

All About Cacao

Silk Grass Farms' sustainable cacao farming promotes growth in harmony with the Belizean ecosystem and culture.

  • Belize is an ideal environment for growing cacao because of its unique combination of climate, soil, and topography

  • Silk Grass Farms' sustainable farming practices promote the growth of high-quality cacao in harmony with the natural ecosystem

Indigenous cacao has been critical to the Belizean ecosystem and culture for centuries. The crop was first cultivated by the ancient Maya, who used it both as a food and a currency.

Cacao has become a staple in cuisines across the globe, from the rich chocolate bars of Europe to the flavorful mole sauces of Mexico. But cacao is much more than just chocolate’s main ingredient — it has a fascinating history, a unique cultural significance to Belize, and a range of potential uses that extend far beyond the kitchen.

How We Grow Cacao Sustainably at Silk Grass Farms

Silk Grass Farms is committed to sustainable farming practices that promote the growth of cacao in harmony with the natural ecosystem. Unlike traditional cacao farming methods, our plots are intercropped with Mahogany trees in open environments using shading techniques to improve the nutrition of the soil, allowing for enhanced growth and development.

The cacao tree is a slow-producing tree, and it takes two to three years to develop its first cacao pods. The flowers of the cacao tree depend upon a unique interdependence with the ecosystem it thrives in. Midges—tiny insects that make their home in the soil—pollinate the flowers, creating a symbiotic relationship between the cacao tree and the soil it grows on.

Our cacao trees are intercropped with tall hardwood trees, mostly Mahogany, which allows for enhanced growth and development.

How We Harvest and Process Cacao for the Highest Quality 

The harvesting and processing of cacao at Silk Grass Farms is a manual, labor-intensive process that provides employment opportunities for many Belizeans. Our cacao pods are hand-harvested and the beans and pulp are also extracted by hand to make sure the surrounding flowers don’t get damaged. We use traditional, open-air fermentation methods to enhance the flavor of the cacao beans and dry them in the open before cleaning and shipping them.

Cacao beans drying in an open-air environment before being cleaned and shipped.

Beyond the Farm: Uses of Cacao

Today, cacao is used in a variety of traditional recipes, such as chocolate drinks, cakes, and desserts. Beyond its culinary uses, cacao has many other applications, such as in medication and cosmetics. At Silk Grass Farms, we also use the pods and remaining pulp of the cacao plant in organic matter we return to the soil, creating a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between the crop and the land.