Cacao Tour — Local services in Lanquín

This experience was the highlight of my trip to Guatemala. Elsa was so prompt in responding to my inquiry for a tour, giving me a couple time options for the folloaing day. Since I was alone, I truly appreciated her giving a tour to just one person. She explained with knowledge and passion about the cacao growing, harvesting, and roasting process, patiently answering all my questions both about cacao and the local area.

We were able to roast and grind cacao using tools and methods passed down from her ancestors, and I was warmed to see that she has also been teaching her daughter these ancient ways. After drinking a delicious cacao AND eating a freshly prepared dessert, I was able to buy several products, ranging from nibs, cacao blocks, mini chocolates, and even fresh vanilla and their own turmeric.

I am so grateful that Elsa and Hector have opened their hearts and homes to tourists to learn about cacao in a responsible and authentic way....

We did the cacao tour today which was quite nice. We went to the plantations where we studied the plants, the correct method of creating a plantation as well as the fermentation process of the cocoa beans. After that we went back to the the house where they showed/taught us the roasting and grinding of the cocoa beans. We were able to try the roasted cocoa bean as well as the cocoa paste with and without panela (sweet paste). Additionally we tried the cocoa drink with and without panels which was very good as well. The tour was only available in Spanish but we had a friend who translated it for us. The hosts have been very friendly and nice and answered every question with detailed knowledge. (Picture is of the grinding process which we could try...

A wonderful experience to do in Lanquin ! This cacao tour is not only about learning how chocolate is artisanally made from the pod to the paste, it is also a cultural lesson on the use and the meanings of cocoa for Mayan people. Elsa is a charming woman who will explain and show you how her family is, from generation to generation, cultivating the trees and transforming the beans into this delicious delight we all know. As you are preparing chocolate from raw beans, you'll be able to taste a pure 100% chocolate, down to as-much-as-you-want-% by mixing it with panela (a sugar paste), also homemade. In short, a wonderful experience, and a must do...