Published on 5/30/25

Madagascar plantation trip

From the Soil to the Soul of Chocolate - A Journey Through the Sambirano Valley

In the heart of Madagascar’s Sambirano Valley, our Cercle V clients embarked on an immersive experience to understand the true origins of exceptional cacao. Guided by local experts, they walked among the lush cacao trees, learning how agroforestry, traditional know-how, and an unwavering respect for people and the planet define the unique aromatic profile of this remarkable terroir.

Madagascar plantation trip for cercle V clients

Every step of the journey revealed the care and dedication behind each bean — from the handpicking of ripe cacao pods to the precise art of fermentation and natural sun drying. These meticulous practices are what give Valrhona chocolate its depth, balance, and unmistakable character.

The Millot Plantation: A Living Partnership

At the heart of this story lies the Millot Plantation, Valrhona’s trusted partner for over 30 years. This collaboration goes far beyond sourcing — it represents a shared vision built on ethics, sustainability, and innovation. Together, we’ve worked hand in hand to protect biodiversity, improve living conditions for local communities, and ensure that every bean is grown with purpose.

Valrhona's Client planting its own cocoa tree

For our chefs and clients, visiting the plantation was more than an educational experience — it was a moment of connection. Meeting with our local teams, sourceurs, and planters, they witnessed the passion that drives this partnership. Planting their own cacao trees was a meaningful gesture, symbolizing a lasting bond between our chefs and the origins of the chocolate they transform every day.

Valrhona's Client talking with cocoa producer

Tradition, Community, and Commitment

This journey reminded us that chocolate is much more than a product — it’s a story of people, of land, and of a shared commitment to doing better. The traditions preserved in Madagascar are the same values that inspire us at Valrhona: sustainability, respect, innovation, and collaboration.

Madagascan woman drying Valrhona cocoa beans

By nurturing long-term relationships with our producers, we protect the ecosystems that sustain them and ensure the transmission of invaluable skills to future generations. Every action, from soil to soul, reflects our belief that excellence is inseparable from responsibility.

At Valrhona, we remain devoted to building a more sustainable and transparent future for chocolate — one that uplifts communities, protects the planet, and inspires everyone who shares our love for this extraordinary ingredient.

Because true excellence doesn’t just taste good — it does good.

Millot chocolate packaging Valrhona
Fruity
Organic 1% for the planet
Organic Chocolate

Millot 74% - Pure Millot Plantation*

Millot* 74% organic dark chocolate, the first organic 74% couverture chocolate to source *its cocoa beans from a single Madagascan plantation: Millot, Ambanja District. This dark chocolate has a carbon footprint of 0.57kg of CO2 per kilogram of cocoa.
valrhona.com-Pure Origin Bar Manjari
For Tasting

Pure Origin* Bar Manjari

Manjari unleashes the fresh, tangy notes of red berries, with delicate finish recalling toasted nuts and dried fruits. Manjari, Single Origin* Madagascar, A Valrhona fruity dark chocolate Grand Cru with tangy red berry notes, made from *cocoa beans from Ambanja District.