You will work your way through the entire practical process from scratch, starting with the cacao fruit on the tree and ending with the chocolate in your mouth. In addition, you will learn local Mayan chocolate preparation techniques, attend lectures on the history and politics of chocolate, meet members of the Toledo Cacao Grower’s Association, and attend a chocolate making workshop.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Sunday. Arrive by boat via Moho River. Get acclimated and tour the farm. Pick and sample the fruit of the cacao.
Day 2: Monday. Free to explore the grounds or participate in one of our half or full day guided adventures.
Day 3: Tuesday. Visit with local Mayan farmers and participate in harvesting the cacao and initiating the fermentation of the cocoa beans.
Day 4: Wednesday. Visit another farm and participate in drying the beans post fermentation.
Day 5: Thursday. Make chocolate with the Mayans the old fashioned way, including roasting, winnowing, crushing, cooking, and eating.
Day 6: Friday. Visit the Punta Gorda farmers market where cacao is sold (in addition, the May trip includes attending the annual Toledo Cacao Festival) and meet with members of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association and learn about Fair Trade and the politics and economics of chocolate.
Day 7: Saturday. Hands on chocolate making workshop. Includes roasting, milling, winnowing, liquefying, recipe formulation, refining, conching, tempering and molding.
Day 8: Sunday. Farewell breakfast and return to the U.S.
Faculty Information:
Stay in private cabanas and awaken to the song of exotic bird life and the roar of monkeys in the distance. Start your day with fresh tropical fruit from our orchard or sample the chocolate we make from the cocoa we grow.
Explore our grounds by dugout canoe or horseback or join one of our guided tours of the rain forest, rivers, Mayan ruins or villages. Or have it all - you can combine your visit to our lodge with a scuba diving trip to a remote island or take a day trip to the Cayes.
Other Activities:
Optional you may choose Rainforest Tours, River tours, Ruins tour, Sightseeing Villages.
Facility Information:
Serving fresh Belizean cuisine along with regional spirits and beer, the lodge is the focal gathering point where our guests can relax and enjoy the serene river environment. The lodge is where you can mingle each day, make new friends, and plan your next adventure. A large deck area looks toward the river - an inviting place to view the exotic birds that call this their home, or simply unwind and watch the sunset.
Notes:
The cost is per person based on double occupancy.
Price Includes:
- lodging in handcrafted rosewood and thatch cabanas
- all meals and soft drinks
- horseback riding, kayaking, caving and waterfalls
- unique tours from Mayan chocolate making to Garifuna drumming
- transfers between our Belize jungle lodge and Punta Gorda.
Also see Vacation Schools in:
Cooking schools
Central America and Caribbean
Belize
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