Tucked away in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon Basin, Hacienda Tranquilidad sprawls over 1,500 acres, producing both wildcrafted and single-estate cacao. Founded by Volker Lehmann, the trailblazer who foraged for and later commercialized the endemic Beniano cacao variety, these beans grow in places untouched by humans until it’s time for harvest. Now, let’s talk about the chocolate. The aroma hits you first—a seductive blend of blueberries and vanilla swirling around a rich, classic dark chocolate profile. Take a bite, and you’re greeted by a subtle tartness that echoes those blueberries, perfectly complemented by a red wine-like tannin that’s mellowed to perfection with a latte-like creaminess. Hints of nougat, blood orange, and brownie crust cradle the palate, weaving together a complex, layered experience that’s as adventurous as the jungle itself.
Monsoon Tranquilidad Bolivia 73%
Cocoa Origin: Bolivia
Producer Country: United States
Weight: 50 g
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Monsoon Tranquilidad Bolivia 73%
Few people know that Tucson, Arizona is designated as a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy. And Monsoon Chocolate, aptly named after the rains that bring life to the desert, justifies the city’s title by capturing the traditional flavours of the American Southwest while also showcasing the finest cocoa from around the world—a truly remarkable fusion. Embracing the 'farm to table' mentality, Monsoon engages with suppliers in fair and sustainable practices, detailing on their website each terroir and collective they work with, along with how much they paid for the cocoa compared to the global commodity price. Despite the challenge of crafting chocolate in a desert, they excel in quality, processing the cacao minimally to highlight the beans' beautiful and complex flavours. What’s more, founder Adam's background includes a stint at Whole Foods in Portland, Oregon, where he helped build the largest craft chocolate library in the world. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to visit Monsoon Chocolate for a tasting and tour, offered from 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Tell them Milou sent you!
Shop More MonsoonBeni, a northeastern department of Bolivia, is characterized by its vast, flat terrain and sparse population, ranking as the country's second-largest but also second-least populated department. The region's landscape features large mounds connected by straight earthen causeways, believed to be remnants of ancient, advanced indigenous civilizations that thrived prior to European arrival. A tropical and humid climate fosters warm to hot temperatures year-round. Beni shares its borders with Brazil to the northeast and is predominantly covered by rainforest, pampa, and numerous rivers, all part of the Amazon basin. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including 400 unique species of fish. Wild cacao trees grow along the upper reaches of the Beni River where locals traverse the waterways in boats to
harvest fresh pods. In addition to agriculture, timber, and cattle ranching, Beni’s local economy is often linked to illegal narcotics activities, making wild harvesting in the region perilous.
