Mindo is a tiny town northwest of Quito, Ecuador. Each cacao pod is hand-picked by them for freshness and quality then processed immediately. Contrast this to most large scale operations that will harvest every pod – even the bad ones – and mix them all together.

The cacao beans are then removed and stored in large crates to ferment. They employ a smart gravity-powered fermenting system. There are three large crates set upon giant steps. As the top box of beans ferments, it opens into a second lower box, mixing the beans as they cascade down. Then they swirl down to the last box. It’s a waterfall of chocolate! Well, okay, goopy fermented cacao beans – you have to appreciate the vision, you know.

The beans are then set out to dry on racks. Again, this is another way Mindo Chocolate Makers really takes care of their products. It is common for cacao producers to lay their beans out on the ground, even by the side of the road, absorbing lead emissions and animal waste. Do you know where that Hershey bar’s been?!

The beans finally arrive in Michigan in the form of pounds and pounds of intensely flavored nibs! Their little chocolate factory in Dexter is where the rest of the magic takes place.

We are geeks, but we believe that before going for a technological solution, we must first understand and appreciate the old-fashioned, non-tech way of doing the same thing. The nibs are hand-pressed into cocoa liquor using a grinder. It’s amazing how much liquid can come out of a handful of these crunchy nibs. Later, they hand-crank cocoa powder and cocoa butter. It’s a serious workout! We joke that they should open a chocolate themed day spa.

Working directly with the beans, from harvesting the fruit to ladling the tempered chocolate into molds, putting your hands, body, heart into the operation, you can’t help but be amazed at the wonders of chocolate. It’s not the kind relationship you can get by pressing a button on a machine. Plus it tastes better!

Next field trip: Ecuador?

Mindo cocoa powder is available at the Deli.