Single Origin Macaé 62%

For more than 20 years, Valrhona’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development has prompted us to invest in the Brazilian territory of the Mata Atlantica, a tropical forest which has been weakened by intensive deforestation. At the end of the 2000s, we met Mr. Libanio, who, like us, believed that premium, ultra high-quality cocoa can be grown in Brazil. Single Origin Grand Cru Macaé is a chocolate with a personality as diverse and fascinating as Brazil's natural heritage. “Macaé” is named after a river that flows through the middle of the “Serra do Mar”, a rock formation in southeast Brazil which is covered for the most part by the Mata Atlantica.

As the world’ 6th biggest cocoa producer, Brazil has a cocoa-growing long tradition. One of the world’s most diverse ecosystems stretches out along the eastern part of Bahia province. This is the Mata Atlantica, a tropical forest which has been classified as a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. There, cocoa trees are planted under the shade of banana and palm trees. It is all the experience accrued by local planters, backed up by Valrhona’s technical cooperation, which has allowed us to develop the post-harvest long fermentation and solar drying processes that super-charge the unique aromas of Macaé's beans.

Bahia plantations are often exceptionally lush, as they benefit from the forests which still exist in the area and from all the crops associated with Brazil’s many Forastero cocoa varieties. When I taste Macaé, it brings to mind a clever blend of strength, diversity and balance.

Cédric Robin - COCOA SOURCING PROFESSIONAL VALRHONA

Sensory profile 

Macaé’s deep notes of black tea and roasted nuts take you on a timeless, spell- binding journey through Brazil’s ancient Atlantic Rainforest: Mata Atlantica.