Bean-to-Bar Producers

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KITU Chocolate Artesanal del Ecuador is a family-run, bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Quito that focuses on crafting high-quality chocolate using locally sourced Ecuadorian cacao. The company emphasizes an immersive, educational experience, teaching visitors about the full chocolate-making process while offering tastings of unique, artisanal flavors. Known for its commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage, KITU has quickly become a standout name in Ecuador’s growing craft chocolate scene.

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Valdivian Chocolate is an Ecuadorian bean-to-bar chocolate brand inspired by the ancient Valdivia culture, emphasizing heritage, craftsmanship, and high-quality cacao.
The company produces chocolate using Ecuador’s renowned Nacional (Arriba) cacao, working with farmers and paying fair prices to support local communities.
Its focus is on celebrating Ecuador’s cultural identity and cacao quality rather than positioning itself as a luxury or competition-driven brand.

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Indemini Báez Chocolate is a small, family-run bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Quito, Ecuador, founded by a Swiss–Ecuadorian couple focused on artisanal production and education.
The brand emphasizes full traceability, sourcing cacao from specific farms and communities while producing handcrafted bars with unique local ingredients.
Beyond selling chocolate, Chez Tiff operates as an interactive learning space, teaching visitors the history of Ecuadorian cacao and the step-by-step chocolate-making process

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  • Pricing Tier: $
  • Sourcing Area: Chrone, Ecuador
  • Tours: No
  • Distribution Area: Ecuador, United States, Canada
  • Website URL: https://metowe.com/shop
  • Additional Products: Chocolate Bars, Other

ME to WE Chocolate is a social enterprise chocolate brand that uses Fairtrade-certified cacao to create products that fund community development through its partner organization, WE Charity.
The chocolate is sourced from cacao farmers in Ecuador and designed so that purchases directly support education, income, and sustainable farming initiatives in those communities.
Unlike traditional chocolate companies, ME to WE focuses on an impact-first business, where a large portion of profits is reinvested into global development projects rather than maximizing profit.

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  • Pricing Tier: $
  • Sourcing Area: Yasuní Biosphere Reserve (Ecuador Amazon)
  • Tours: No
  • Distribution Area: Ecuador
  • Additional Products: Chocolate Bars, Coffee, Other
  • Awards Won:
    • Award Name: Equator Prize (United Nations Development Program), Year: 2014, Category: Community-based biodiversity conservation, Result: Winner
    • Award Name: United Nations Recognition, Year: 2017, Category: Sustainable development / indigenous-led conservation enterprise

Chocolate WAO is a community-based chocolate initiative led by the Waorani women of the Ecuadorian Amazon, created to generate sustainable income while protecting rainforest ecosystems. The cacao is grown in small-scale agroforestry systems within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and transformed into chocolate through a partnership with an Ecuadorian producer.
Unlike traditional chocolate brands, WAO is primarily focused on conservation, indigenous empowerment, and cultural preservation, with chocolate serving as a tool for environmental protection rather than luxury or competition.

 

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  • Pricing Tier: $$
  • Sourcing Area: Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Esmeraldas
  • Tours: Contact For More Information
  • Distribution Area: Ecuador, United States
  • Website URL: https://minkachocolate.com
  • Additional Products: Chocolate Bars, Cacao Nibs, Coffee, Other
  • Awards Won:
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2019, Category: Dark Chocolate, Result: Gran Barra Dorada
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2021, Category: Multiple Chocolate Bars
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Category: Various Chocolate Bars, Result: Award Winner
    • Award Name: National Recognition; Gran Barra Dorada, Category: Best Ecuadorian Chocolate, Result: Winner

Minka Chocolate is a premium Ecuadorian chocolate brand made from fine cacao grown in the fertile Guayas region, emphasizing rich flavor and origin quality.
Founded by Jorge and Cristina Martinez, the company focuses on producing high-end “food of the gods” chocolate rooted in Ecuador’s cacao heritage and ideal growing conditions.
Minka highlights craftsmanship and terroir-driven taste, positioning itself as a luxury gourmet chocolate experience rather than a sustainability-first or community-focused model.

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  • Pricing Tier: $
  • Sourcing Area: Mashpi Shungo Farm (Andean Choco Region)
  • Tours: Yes
  • Distribution Area: International
  • Website URL: https://mashpichocolate.com/en
  • Additional Products: Chocolate Bars, Cacao Nibs, Other
  • Awards Won:
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: Calamondin Bar, Result: Gold
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: Bar wirh cacao pulp, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2019, Category: 80% cacao chocolate , Result: Gold
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2019, Category: Chocolate with salt and cardamom, Result: Gold
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2019, Category: Guayabilla Bar, Result: Honorable Mention

Mashpi Chocolate is an artisanal, organic chocolate brand made from 100% fine aroma cacao grown in regenerative agroforestry systems in Ecuador’s Andean Chocó, emphasizing sustainability and high-quality flavor.
The company is a community-based project focused on forest conservation, ecological restoration, and ethical production, using locally sourced ingredients and traditional methods to create chocolate that benefits both people and the environment.

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  • Pricing Tier: $$$
  • Sourcing Area: Puerto Quito, Ecuador
  • Tours: Yes
  • Distribution Area: Mindo, Ecuador/ Michigan, USA
  • Website URL: https://www.elquetzaldemindo.com/store
  • Additional Products: Chocolate Bars, Coffee, Other
  • Awards Won:
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Year: 2017, Category: 70% Rustic, Result: Bronze
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Year: 2021, Category: Cocoa Powder (100% Natural), Result: Silver
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: Dark Milk Chocolate, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: Apricot Cardamom, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: International Chocolate Awards, Year: 2024, Category: 100% Drinking Chocolate, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2019, Category: 67% Coffee, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2022, Category: 77% Ginger, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2022, Category: 67% Coffee, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: 77% Ginger, Result: Silver
    • Award Name: Ecuador Chocolate Awards, Year: 2023, Category: 77% Pure, Result: Silver

El Quetzal de Mindo is a chocolate-focused destination located in the cloud forest of the Andes in Mindo, Ecuador, offering immersive experiences for cacao and food enthusiasts. Visitors can tour its award-winning, on-site bean-to-bar chocolate factory and see every step of the chocolate-making process, from cacao trees to finished bars, with tastings included.

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