Cocoa tours: From bean to bar

Ghana's rich cocoa heritage means there are many ways for visitors to get into the chocolate journey. Picture this: you're walking through lush, green cocoa farms, learning from the farmers themselves about how they grow, harvest, and do all that crucial fermentation and drying. It's truly amazing to see!

• Farm Visits: Tours often hit up historic spots like the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm in Mampong. This is where cocoa first popped off in Ghana. Here, you see how they've been doing things for ages, maybe even taste the fresh, sweet pulp right from a cocoa pod. You really get to see the dedication of the farmers, the real MVPs of this industry.
• Factory Insights: After the farms, you might get a peek into local processing centers. This is where you see how those humble beans start their glow-up before they even hit the chocolate makers.
• Tasting Experiences: And for the grand finale? Check out chocolate tasting sessions. You get to indulge in the rich flavors of Ghanaian cocoa in all its forms. It’s a real "bean to bar" education for your taste buds!

These immersive experiences give you a direct connect with the source of the world's most beloved treat.

Women leading the chocolate revolution

And listen, now Ghana is aiming to bring its main character energy into producing delicious, finished chocolate products!

Most of all that big money from processing cocoa beans goes to companies overseas. The Ghana chocolate bar, a beloved treat in Korea and Japan, is a great example of this. Most of that value stayed outside Ghana, even though the main ingredient for the bars came from there.

But hold up, 'cause that narrative is getting a major glow-up! Thanks to visionary Ghanaian entrepreneurs, particularly women, who are championing the country to become chocolate producers. Three remarkable women-owned businesses are exemplifying this shift, seriously putting Ghana on the map for high-end, home-grown chocolate:

• '57 Chocolate: Founded by sisters Kimberly and Priscilla Addison, '57 Chocolate is a pioneer in Ghana's bean-to-bar movement. The name is a nod to Ghana's year of independence. The business meticulously transforms dried cocoa beans into luxurious chocolates and confections, all while celebrating African art and culture through their products. They inspire Ghanaians to create finished goods from their own resources and bring manufacturing back home. We love to see it!
• Chocoluv Limited: Led by Monica Senanu, Chocoluv is another inspiring Ghanaian artisanal chocolate maker. Starting from her home kitchen, Chocoluv has grown to include a factory in Accra and even a boutique at Ghana's main airport, supplying chocolates to various businesses and delighting folks with their premium confections. You know it's good when they got that airport presence!
• Midunu Chocolates: And listen, when you’re talkin' 'bout elevated chocolate experiences, let us put you on Chef Selassie Atadika and Midunu. Their handcrafted, award-winning chocolates infuse unique African flavors – think spices, fruits, and teas – to give you a sensory journey through the continent.

These businesses, among others, are vital in Ghana's journey to reap more rewards from its cocoa. By processing beans into finished products, Ghana is generating more revenue to create more and better paying employment opportunities right at home. It's giving  innovation and high-quality production and we're here for it.

Get ready to get your chocolate on

This World Chocolate Day, as you bite into your fav chocolate treat, take a sec to think about the little cocoa bean coming straight outta Ghana. And big up to everyone shaping its future! As you savor that melty, chocolatey goodness, you might just find yourself booking a flight to experience it all firsthand.

This article contains affiliate links. The writer may receive a commission if you book a tour from some of the links.