The Cacao Origins Map

Every chocolate has a birthplace.

Before it becomes a bar, a truffle, or a ganache, cacao lives as a fruit growing on small farms in rainforests, river valleys, and volcanic soils across the world.

This map celebrates those origins.

From the floral Nacional cacao of Ecuador to the bright, citrusy beans of Madagascar and the deep, classic flavors from Ghana, each region brings its own story, tradition, and terroir.

The Cacao Origins Map is your window into the farms, cooperatives, and communities behind the beans — a journey across continents that shapes the flavors we use at Menlo Park Chocolate Company.

Explore the Cacao Origins Map

Below you’ll find an interactive map of 80 carefully curated cacao farms and growing regions across South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean.
Click on any pin to discover:

• Where the farm is located

• The cacao variety grown (Criollo, Trinitario, Nacional, Amelonado, heirloom strains)

• Notes on flavor and terroir

• The farmer or cooperative’s story

• Links to learn more

This map is designed to educate, inspire, and deepen your connection to the global roots of chocolate.

Featured Origins

Madagascar — Sambirano Valley: Bright, red-fruit acidity with floral notes. Considered one of the world’s most distinctive cacao terroirs thanks to the valley’s microclimate and lush agroforestry.

Ecuador — Esmeraldas: Home of the famed Nacional varietal. Coastal winds, volcanic soil, and ancient genetics produce cacao with deep floral aromas and an unmistakably smooth finish.

Ghana — Suhum District: Classic cocoa flavor from organic smallholder cooperatives like ABOCFA, known for transparent sourcing and high-quality fermentation.

Vietnam — Mekong Delta: A rising star in fine-flavor cacao, offering rich spice, tropical fruit notes, and a uniquely modern cacao profile shaped by river delta ecosystems.

Our Sourcing Philosophy

Great chocolate begins on the farm — long before it arrives in Menlo Park.

At Menlo Park Chocolate Company, we celebrate global cacao diversity not only through the flavors we choose, but through the stories, traditions, and communities behind each growing region.

Whether the cacao comes from established fine-flavor origins like Ecuador and Peru, or emerging craft regions in Vietnam and Tanzania, our goal is to honor the farmers, elevate their work, and share the complexity of cacao with every visitor.

Flavor is global.
Craft is human.
This map is a testament to both.

Taste the Journey

Explore our handcrafted chocolate creations inspired by origins across the world.