NOT COFFEE. CACAO.
I grew up in Colombia in a family of coffee producers, but I just couldn't drink coffee. The jitters. The anxiety. The stomach aches. They were all too much. So, I turned to cacao instead.
- Claudia Bomgaars, Founder
Cacao For Peace
The indigenous in South America used to say that cacao would open their hearts. That’s because cacao is rich in theobromine, a gentle cousin to caffeine. Theobromine's heart energy lasts twice as long as caffeine, just without the jitters or the crash. Cacao is also more alkaline than coffee, helping you avoid nasty stomach aches often associated with drinking coffee. Last, but not least, cacao is rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps your brain remain calm and relaxed. If coffee is for crazy, then cacao is for peace.
ARRIBA NACIONAL
Similar to the Bordeaux region of France and its famous wine, 'Arriba' refers to a famous coastal region of Ecuador situated between the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean. The cacao grown here is widely considered to be some of the finest in all of the world and is renowned for its full taste and complex fruity, floral notes.
THE LEGEND OF UPRIVER CACAO
How did the 'Arriba' region get its name you ask? In the early 19th century, a Swiss chocolatier traveled to Ecuador in search of a hidden treasure. One foggy morning, while navigating up the Guayas River, he spotted a few natives hauling freshly harvested cacao pods on their backs. The wild cacao's complex fruity, floral aroma captivated him. When he asked them where they had found it, they replied, "rio arriba," or upriver.
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