Name: Karuna Belyzium Belize 70%
Brand: Karuna
SKU: KAR-002
Price: 15.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Karuna Belyzium Belize 70%

Cocoa Origin: Belize
Producer Country: Italy
Weight: 60 g

This cocoa is sourced from Belyzium, a bean-to-bar manufacturer based in Belize. The beans come from the village of San Jose and are cultivated by Mopan Maya farmers. The cacao tree holds profound significance in the religious practices of the Mopan Maya people, who traditionally believe both the tree and its beans possess spiritual essence. Indeed, this chocolate bar offers a near-transcendental experience, expertly balancing bitterness, sweetness, and acidity. It has aromas of cardamom, anise, and bruised orchard fruit that give way to flavours of brown sugar, baking spices, and earthy porcini, complemented by deep and familiar chocolatey overtones.

$15.99

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Karuna Belyzium Belize 70%

$15.99

Katya and Armin, the couple behind Karuna, operate from the heart of the Italian Alps, but their journey with chocolate began in a very different place: southern India (an inspiration evoked in the beautiful shapes on their bars and packaging). There, they were introduced to locals growing and producing cocoa, which sparked their curiosity. They soon learned about hobbyists in America making single-origin chocolates by hand, a concept that reminded them of how the craft beer renaissance was driven by homebrewers, which had inspired so much innovation and creativity. Excited by the prospect of a new hobby, Katya and Armin began making chocolate using basic tools. Upon returning to Italy, they found only a few artisan manufacturers in Europe making the kind of chocolate they desired. Undeterred, they decided to follow in the footsteps of the homebrewers and create the chocolate they wanted themselves. Thus, Karuna Chocolate was born.

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Toledo, Belize, is the country's southernmost district, encompassing nearly 3000 square kilometres of breathtaking rainforest, mountains, rivers, and offshore islands along the Caribbean Sea. The region's history is deeply intertwined with Maya culture, evident in the numerous archaeological sites and the majority of the population still using Mayan languages as their mother tongue. Toledo boasts a very diverse population, including Maya, Garifuna, Creole, Mopan, Mestizo, and East Indian communities, all represented in a population of less than 50,000. Agriculture forms the backbone of Toledo's economy, with crops like beans, corn, and rice being staples amongst many other fruits and veg. The area’s commitment to conservation policies has safeguarded its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, attracting a considerable rise in tourism. The region is also hailed as Belize's chocolate capital, hosting an annual festival. One of craft chocolate’s most notable cooperatives, Maya Mountain, is located here and has become a model for connecting smallholder farms with artisan makers, promoting high-quality cacao and transparency in the supply chain.

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