A beautiful Ecuadorian - British Connection
“What is essential is invisible to the eyes.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
We end January with this superb visit from the United Kingdom. This invitation took eight years to crystallise and was worth the wait. We wanted to show master chocolatier Kerry Witt, founder of Chocolate By Miss Witt and chocolate sommelier Hazel Lee, creator of Taste with Colour, dear friends from the world of chocolate, the soul of our beautiful land.
They visited our Nacional cacao farm in Chone, Manabí, Ecuador and witnessed our first harvest of 2023. Epic moment and a fantastic way to welcome them!
A welcome visit to La Providencia in Chone, Manabí, Ecuador
Later, they had the opportunity to share their knowledge and teach how to craft British sea salt caramel and classic bonbons, recognise flavours in chocolate and paint its nuances with watercolours to a group of chocolatiers, artists and chocolate lovers at the Escuela de Los Chefs in Guayaquil and the Culinary Trainer School in Manta.
Mendiets crafted by Chocolate by Miss Witt with Cárdenas Chocolate
Hazel teaches Taste with Colour in Guayaquil
It was a remarkable symbiosis because they left their expertise and took part of our history with them. They discovered that Ecuador is the epicentre of cacao cultivation and chocolate dating back 5,300 years. The Museo Nacional del Cacao, Hacienda Victoria and Cofina in Guayas were fabulous visits. On the way back to Manabí, they were mesmerised by the craftmanship of the authentic toquilla straw hats in Montecristi (originally from Ecuador, not Panama) and understood the importance of cacao during President Eloy Alfaro's times to make radical changes for Ecuador. And yes, they got extraordinary hats for themselves.
A delicious Jipijapa ceviche in Manta
Dancing to the rhythm of a beautiful musical band in central Guayaquil, enjoying delicious Jipijapa ceviche (with peanuts sauce) in Manta, and admiring splendid sunsets in Santa Marianita were just some of the highlights. But the most important was to feel the warmth and kindness of our people because what is essential is invisible to the eyes.
End of a fabulous chocolate visit and experience!