On the slopes of Hualalai Mountains, sits the cacao plantation and chocolate factory of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate factory. They were the first to grow, hand-pick, sun-dry and process the only Hawaiian grown cocoa beans.
Chocolate comes from the “theobroma cacao” family of trees, which grow 15 to 20 degrees north or south of the equator. The Island of Hawaii, is ideally situated to cultivate cacao, as it sits at 18 degrees.
Cacao is known to be one of the richest sources of anti-oxidants (flavonoids), which are considered very beneficial to health. It is also a source of theobromine, a stimulating alkaloid which is responsible for chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac. Chocolate is sometimes referred to as the “food of the gods”.
In the onsite factory store, at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate factory, which is open Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 3pm, you can purchase a variety of chocolates ranging from rich flavoured Dark or Milk and the Grand Cru of Dark Chocolate the exclusive Criollo Dark Chocolate.
