São Tomé CECAQ 11 Organic + Fair Trade

Region and Country

Mestre António, São Tomé

Story

This cocoa is produced by CECAQ 11, a second level cooperative that brings together 11 cocoa producing communities in the south of São Tomé. At present, CECAQ accounts for 1135 members, of which 402 are women. São Tomé farmers have built on the success that their co-operative model has bought. For example, using money raised from her work with the co-op, 49-year-old cocoa farmer Hortência Pina has been able to improve her crops: ‘My trees are getting old and I am able to replace them with new ones which we have grafted to create better hybrids that are more productive and start giving fruit after only two years,’ she says. In recent years, members of CECAQ-11 have also put their Fair Trade premium toward other community-improvement initiatives, such as building a kindergarden.

Harvest

March - May (main harvest) - February (mid-crop)

Genetics

It is believed that the genetic stock of these two islands served as a basis for developing the West African Amelonado. In the mid twentieth century other varieties were introduced from Ecuador, Trinidad and Venezuela, which further enriched the varieties found on the islands.

Post Harvesting Process

The beans are fermented at farmer level. The coming years the cooperative plans to establish warehouses, dryers and fermentation centres and provide training and technical assistance to all its members to optimise quality and flavour.

Flavour

Beautiful round profile of intense cocoa with notes of fresh tropical fruits followed by cashew nuts, shortbread and spicy pepper.