Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Peru | Madagascar
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the source of the cacao used in our Pacuare chocolate and many blends. The name Pacuare is inspired by one of Costa Rica's wildest rivers which cuts through rainforest gorges that shelter jaguars, ocelots, monkeys and birds. It features upfront berry, fruit and golden raisin, with a lingering finish of hazelnut and caramel.
Dagoba partners with an exemplary estate in Costa Rica. We source almost exclusively from small farms and co-ops, but when we saw how equitable this farm was and tasted their amazing cacao, we were hooked. This partnership has yielded exquisite cacao, a better quality of life for cacao workers and their families, and the preservation of many plant, animal and insect species in the face of environmental degradation.
Estate workers earn at least 1.5 times the minimum wage (a sustainable income) and have health care and other benefits. The estate has a wildlife corridor that offers refuge to native species, whose rain forest homes have been destroyed through development. We are supporting the farm's efforts to provide root stock (young cacao trees) and technical assistance to cacao producers in the Upala region who lost their crop through disease. This work will improve economic and social conditions beyond the estate - uniting geographically distant communities towards a positive shared vision and a better future.
We recently began funding a research project on sloth population at a reserve next to the estate, which will provide general assessments of ecological health. Our Founder Frederick has visited the region to collaborate on procedures for fermentation and drying. He's also visited a Bri Bri women's group that makes chocolate from scratch, sharing his alchemic experiences and learning about less energy-intensive production methods. We continue to support the women in infrastructure building and technical expertise.
Below are some letters we received from the Estate workers in August 2006. Their words show what an exemplary farm this is is, for its workers are well as the environment and cacao quality:
From the moment that I started to work for Finmac it was very gratifying for me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work. I am very grateful to work in the factory. I have obtained a lot of knowledge and maybe, with the blessing and the help of God they will help me in the future. I study, I was given the opportunity, and I am very grateful for that. I have much desire to improve myself and while I will be here it will help with my work. I do it with a lot of effort and dedication. Hilbert Perez
For me it is a real pleasure and an honor to work in a company where the work environment is so pleasant and familiar. I have worked many years in this company and I hope to be able to work there many more years. Always when I needed something, the bosses reached out their hand. Therefore I worked with pleasure and enthusiasm all these years. Martín Herrera
During the time that I have worked for Finmac, my life has taken a turn for the better, especially economical, since I had to pay many expenses. I have a better well being for myself and my family. The bosses treat us very well. They do not exploit the workers. Therefore, I would like to offer my gratefulness for the treatment received. Luís Diego Herrera Vonder
Our lives have changed. We have a steady job, there is no need to change like there was before Iván came working here. It is not hard work and he also has helped us economically. All those who work in the finca get on together very well. We all appreciate Don Hugo very much. He is a very special person, he has faith in his workers. If they are ill he tries to help them. He is not a boss like so many who are always punishing or complaining or abusing the workers with bad words. We have a very nice house of the company, it is a quiet place, where everybody is thankful for helping us. The truth is that we are very happy to live in this finca and to work for Mr Hugo. Quietness, a steady job and well being for the family before all. Thank you very much Mr. Hugo for being so special, you and your family. The Cruz family