Some time ago, I felt the need to embark on a journey in search of Sumay. Although I had been working with cacao for years and experiencing its power as a medicinal plant, something inside me longed to go further in sharing its benefits. The medicine I was consuming had done its work, and it was time for a new chapter to begin.
It was then that I decided to travel to Peru, in search of a cacao that had been calling to me from afar. Just a few days later, I found myself in Lima, where my heart began to beat in a way I had never felt before. I sensed I was close to discovering a hidden treasure, in an unfamiliar place.
In Lima, I met a woman who had spent many years working with cacao, transforming it into chocolate drink. She took me to a small fair of Peruvian artisans, where I bought some cacao samples. The next morning, when I prepared my cacao as usual, I took my first sip and a smile formed on my face, quickly turning into laughter and joy. It was clear I had encountered something special – a cacao I wanted to learn more about.
That very evening, I researched its origin, and the next day, I mapped out a new route. My destination: the northern region of Peru, where cacao production is abundant. That’s where my adventure began – an adventure that would change my life.
The Cacao Route in Northern Peru
The journey began in Piura, a cacao-producing province, where we visited a large cacao production and distribution plant. The team there welcomed us warmly and shared insights into their cacao, coffee, and panela work. The next morning, we set out to visit a small cacao producer located in a remote area, surrounded by lush nature.
For the communities in this region, cacao is a nourishing drink, a family legacy passed down through generations, made with milk and sugar. While they are well-versed in the land and trees, they are still unaware of cacao’s full medicinal potential. It was a valuable lesson that prepared us to continue on our journey.
A Family Encounter with Cacao
Our journey then took us south, where Alfredo, a third-generation cacao producer, showed us his production facility and shared the story of his family’s deep connection to cacao. It was clear that Alfredo’s cacao, grown on his family’s land, was the same cacao I had experienced in Lima. Together, we organized a visit to his farm the following day.
The drive to his farm was an adventure through the rural roads of Peru, passing through landscapes of indescribable beauty. We arrived at a family farm where Alfredo showed us the cacao trees his father had planted and shared the rich family history tied to the land and cacao.
Cacao, Community, and Social Struggle
Alfredo’s cacao led us to a meeting with a women’s cooperative working to improve their quality of life through cacao cultivation. As I learned about their work, I realized that cacao is much more than a mere product – it is a symbol of struggle and collaboration in communities that, despite challenges like coca production, are forging ahead by creating associations and cooperatives to improve production, trade, and regional well-being.
In this journey, I discovered that cacao is not just a drink with a unique flavor or a high-vibration product. It is a reflection of social struggle and communal labor, a commitment to the land and collective progress. The cacao from this women’s cooperative, rich in history and tradition, deeply moved me, and their work became part of our project.
Sumay: Cacao Coming to Europe
After two days of learning in these historically rich lands, I decided to bring this cacao to Europe to share it with the world. Sumay cacao is much more than food – it is a bond with nature, community, and love for the earth.
Today, as I reflect on this journey, I feel deeply grateful for having discovered cacao at its roots, thanks to people who taught me to value it as both medicine and food. The cacao I consume daily is a blessing that nourishes my heart, and now, I have the honor of sharing it with the world.
Sumay Cacao: A Cacao with History and Purpose
At Sumay, we select only the purest and highest quality cacao, grown by communities that respect the land and its traditions. Our cacao is a celebration of life, collective work, and connection to nature. Join us on our journey and experience the true flavor of ancestral cacao.
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