Mission holds the title of the most awarded chocolate maker in Brazil, but that’s far from what impresses me most about them. For one thing, they promote their three key objectives as much as they do their products: protecting biodiversity, reducing carbon footprints, and empowering local communities to receive higher, sustainable incomes. Talk is one thing, but they walk the walk too being a fully verticalized operation. That means they buy exclusively direct from producers (only after visiting to ensure natural and regenerative practices on the farm) or direct from cooperatives that emphasize the preservation of not just cacao, but fruits, nuts, and other endangered food ingredients native to Brazil. Their sugar comes from the biggest regenerative organic sugar farm in the world, and they also work with the largest organic cocoa farmer in the country. And that's not all. Arcelia, their founder, has over 20 years of experience and travelled across Latin America teaching indigenous women how to make chocolate. Beyond these practices and values, I also love that Mission uses the culture, history, and biodiversity of Brazil for their inspiration – from their lovely packaging to the feature of ingredients native to Brazil, including some designated as endangered by Slow Food Brazil.