Our Regions

Zona Maya – Heart of Honduran Cocoa Culture

The Ulúa valley in the “Zona Maya” is the heart of the Honduras cocoa culture: In this beautiful region with rolling hills and valleys covered by vast forests and countless rivers, cocoa has been enjoyed since 1100 BC by Olmecs, Mayas and Aztecs. At the time of the Spanish invasion, the Ulúa Valley was regarded as the origin of the best cocoa in Central America.

Today’s cocoa farmers of the “Zona Maya” believe the preservation of the cocoa tradition of their ancestors as their duty. They have cultivated an exceptional awareness in regard to quality and utilise on intricate post-harvest processing: the Trinitario fine cocoa is fermented in wooden boxes, dried in the sun and sorted by hand. An enormous effort that pays off: The cocoa from the “Zona Maya” has a sweet chocolate taste with a hint of vanilla and aromas of dried fruits, flower nectar, nut and caramel. Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs would be proud of their descendants.

Zona Caribe – As Beautiful As It Is Dangerous

Rainforests, river valleys, lagoons and beaches: the “Zona Caribe” offers a mix of spectacular landscapes that is reflected in the Trinitario fine cocoa: the dynamic taste profile ranges from aromas of almonds, passion fruit and mocha to fine notes of citrus and effervescent cherries.

But nature is as beautiful as it is dangerous: The “Zona Caribe” is the region most affected by natural disasters in Honduras. Hurricane Mitch in 1998 destroyed large parts of the cocoa plantations and infrastructure. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that more and more tourists are staying away since they are deterred by the enormous crime rate, reports of violent demonstrations and the refugee caravans. This leads to the beaches on the Caribbean Sea often remaining empty.

This makes stable long-term income sources provided through the cultivation of cocoa all the more important. With the help of Chocolats Halba Honduras, cocoa farmers are transforming their monocultures into sustainable mixed cultivation, known as agroforestry. Cocoa is cultivated together with timber trees and crops like coconut, banana or avocado. The strong trees and the dense, diverse vegetation protect the plantation from storm winds and flooding.

Zona Olancho – Cowboys Become Cocoa Farmers

Dig a hole, insert a seedling, fill it up and store the location with GPS: Cocoa farmers in the “Zona Olancho” are part of a large-scale reforestation project. Together with Chocolats Halba Honduras, they plant 82 trees every day in and around their cocoa plantations. It not only protects climate and biodiversity, but also cocoa plants. The tall trees provide the sensitive cocoa with shade, nutrients and water.

The “Zona Olancho” is the region of Honduras worst affected by deforestation. Especially after hurricane Mitch 1998, many farmers switched to cattle farming and cleared valuable forests. Where lush rainforests once stood, huge herds of cattle now wander across steppe landscapes. The herds move further and further east towards the Río Plátano biosphere reserve, a Unesco world natural heritage site with countless natural beauties.

The combination of sustainable cocoa cultivation and reforestation is an important instrument in the fight against the destruction of unique flora and fauna. In addition, the Trinitario fine cocoa beans can be used to create chocolates for the highest standards - thanks to a complex aroma with notes of vanilla, nuts, citrus and ripe figs.

Zona Mosquitia – With Cocoa against Coke

The “Zona Mosquitia” is a sparsely populated region with thick jungle, lagoons and mangrove swamps. Here lies the spectacular Patuca National Park, home to many endangered species such as tapir, jaguar and great anteater. The cocoa grows in the buffer zone of the park in dense, diverse mixed plantations. Due to the lack of roads, the smallholder farmers take their beans by boat from the villages to the larger settlements.

There, the Trinitario fine cocoa undergoes an intricate processing process: they are fermented for one week in wooden boxes, dried in the sun for another week and then sorted by hand. This preserves the various aromas of the beans and allows the intense cocoa taste with notes of mocha, grapes and apricots to fully develop.

The isolated location of the “Zona Mosquitia” is ideal for endangered animals and plants, but also has its disadvantages: The region is increasingly being used as a route for international drug trafficking. Crime in the region is increasing, especially young people without perspective are recruited for the illegal activities. Cocoa is one of the few opportunities for a secure income - and thus an important tool in the fight against drug-related crime.