Efforts and intentions for 2023
"Time does not exist. Time is just the things that happen to you; that's why it goes by so fast." - Manuel Vicent.
2022 passed in a blink of an eye. We started the year with the Nacional cacao harvest in Manabí, the crafting of chocolate in the Ecuadorian Andes, and journeying to fairs in some of the world's great capitals (New York, Paris, London, Seattle). Then all of a sudden, we were overlooking the Pacific, raising our glasses and toasting the New Year! Spanish writer Manuel Vicent sums up this surreal sensation very nicely: "Time does not exist. Time is just the things that happen to you; that's why it goes by so fast."
Welcoming 2023 with our favourite people, enjoying a festive feast and our emblematic chocolate bar: Tierra Hermosa 72%.
Returning to La Providencia estate in Chone in Ecuador and seeing the cacao trees laden with delicate flowers and robust pods evokes feelings of gratitude and hope. We have been harvesting and shelling cacao pods there for five consecutive years with the help of our friends Marcelo and Beatriz – together, we have admired golden sunsets and endured torrid, winter heat and stormy weather.
It's so exciting to curate Nacional cacao from this small-scale farm. Our delicate cacao has been grown in the area from as far back as 1870, when Juan Polit first harvested it to the delight of demanding European palates. Now, it's our privilege to treat this cacao like a heritage jewel and demonstrate to the world the wonder that grows on this beautiful plot of land.
We put people at the centre of everything we do. Because the people of Manabí, Ecuador are lovely, warm and generous. Talented, passionate and committed. Let us introduce you to our team.
Everything we achieved in 2022 results from the fact that our efforts are highly valued in sophisticated, overseas markets. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of Leonardo, Marcelo, Beatriz, Anna, Don Miguel, Alejandro, Ruth, Ernesto, Jhonny, Paulina, María Laura and the entire Cárdenas Chocolate team. We are united by one philosophy which is to work with lovely people, encourage new generations to get involved and elevate Nacional cacao to the highest level of quality.
Even if the rains are late in the Ecuadorian tropics, the harvest will come soon and it will be abundant. We hope your efforts and intentions come to fruition and that life surprises you.
Happy New Year!
The land of our ancestors is the inspiration to create our award-winning chocolate collection for the world.