Pacari Chocolate, a beacon of sustainable and ethical chocolate production, is on a mission to offer the world's best chocolate, setting uncompromising standards for both taste and integrity. Their commitment to quality is exemplified in their chocolates, each with a minimum cacao content of 60%, using solely organic certified ingredients to ensure that neither people nor the planet suffer harm during the growing process. What sets Pacari apart is their dedication to natural ingredients and the absence of dairy, gluten, refined sugars, nuts, soy, and notably, palm oil, demonstrating their steadfast commitment to environmental preservation and the biodiversity of Ecuadorian rainforests.

Pacari's roots can be traced back to a humble beginning, collaborating with a few families. Today, their initiative has blossomed to encompass over 4,000 families engaged in organic farming. They source their cacao from native Arriba Nacional plants, nurtured by small-scale organic cacao farmers in the Ecuadorian rainforest. This approach eschews monoculture plantations in favor of preserving the biodiversity of the rainforest, avoiding deforestation and its conversion into monoculture cacao plantations.

Notably, Pacari Chocolate stands out as a certified fair trade enterprise by the World Fair Trade Organization. This goes beyond simply buying Fairtrade cacao from a certified cooperative. Their certification encompasses the company's practices and supply chain, reflecting their dedication to prioritizing the planet and its people.

Pacari's tree-to-bar chocolates represent a mere 1% of the chocolate market in the UK. In contrast to the common practice of importing raw materials (cacao beans) for processing in the UK, Pacari's entire supply and production chain occur in Ecuador, where cacao is grown. This approach translates to direct trade with over 4,000 farming families from various cooperatives, providing employment opportunities and promoting wealth, knowledge, and prosperity in developing countries. Pacari takes pride in selling products on behalf of these local communities.

Pacari's commitment to their cacao farmers and the community is unwavering. They invest significant resources in certifying cacao farmers as organic and biodynamic, promoting sustainable and soil-friendly practices. Their dedication extends to improving the living conditions of their farmers, as demonstrated by workshops, assistance in organic certification, and a project that emphasizes the involvement of women in agriculture.

Even in challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacari remains dedicated to supporting their farmers. They maintain their cacao prices at levels significantly higher than standard rates, ensuring fair compensation for the hard work of their cacao farmers.

Pacari's chocolate-making process is a meticulous journey that begins with harvesting by cacao farmers. The cacao undergoes fermentation and natural drying before being transported to Pacari Chocolate in Quito. At the factory, the cacao beans are cleaned, hand-selected, and processed into cacao nibs before transforming into liquid chocolate, eventually resulting in their delicious chocolate bars.

While striving for sustainability, Pacari faces the challenge of raising awareness among consumers who may not fully grasp the intricacies of chocolate production and the implications of unethical practices. The company invests significantly in education, offering talks, workshops, media engagement, and chocolate tastings to enlighten consumers about the importance of ethically and sustainably sourced chocolate.

In the future, Pacari aims to keep raising awareness about ethical chocolate and sustain its support for its farming communities. Their extensive product range includes favorites like chocolate-covered bananas, passion fruit, and their plain single-origin range. Notably, the best-selling product in the UK is the 100% raw cacao organic bar, which contains no sugar and represents a pure cacao experience, appreciated by connoisseurs of dark chocolate. This Christmas, Pacari invites consumers to make a unique and impactful choice by selecting products that bring positive change to the world, fostering a sense of goodwill and positive impact with each gift.