Donate today !
A global network of scientists, farmers, chocolate professionals, and nonprofit leaders working together to protect, celebrate, and preserve the world’s finest cacao.
"Heirloom cacao is a gastronomic and historical revival of flavor and aroma. It's a living relic of human and plant interactions from the ancient past brought forward in the form of the most joyful finest tasting chocolate experiences imaginable."
— Jacob MarlonExecutive Director of the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE)
The Heirloom Cacao Designation is more than a recognition — it’s a scientific and cultural commitment to protecting cacao’s finest genetics and flavor diversity. Recognized by the USDA and supported by a global network of farmers and chocolate professionals, HCP works to safeguard varieties that define the heritage of fine chocolate.
By choosing Heirloom cacao, you support sustainable farming, biodiversity, and the preservation of the world’s most exceptional flavors.
Heirloom designations
certified worldwide
Countries engaged
in preservation efforts
Farmers connected
through HCP
Cacao is primarily grown by small-scale farmers in tropical regions — where it can represent up to one-third of a family’s annual income. For farmers and training on the ground creates a consistent and healthy value chain from gene to bar.
Looking forward, Mey has plans to visit the VRAEM region in August to continue our training with the HCP guide and assist new producers in preparing cacao bean samples for shipment. We will also continue to search for and train more producer.
This year (2026) at Chocoa in Amsterdam, we had the honor to witness Kampura farms receive yet another award for their exquisite cacao by the esteemed committee of Cocoa of Excellence.
While the Identify and Preserve pieces of the mission have been happening for years, everything is finally in place to proactively Discover heirloom cacaos not yet on anyone’s radar and work with the producers to usher them into the world of fine cacao, and we couldn’t be more excited.
