ABOUT CAMINO VERDE

Camino Verde is a cocoa farm near the city of Balao, two hours south of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and was rehabilitated after being abandoned for 16 years. Camino Verde and Meridian Cacao Company have developed a long-standing relationship built on a passion for impeccable quality and consistency in beans, as well as an understanding of the applied science in cocoa fermentation that pushes the boundaries for new-age methods of cocoa post harvest processing. Camino Verde’s owner, Vicente Norero, has years of experience in microbiology, which brings a unique approach to cocoa farming. With Vicente’s deep understanding of fermentation methods he produces a variety of flavor profiles, using enzymes and inoculants to push specific flavor precursors forward in the beans.

SOCIAL PILLARS

Beyond environmental practices that earn Camino Verde an Organic Certification, they practice a unique labor program, paying staff 15% above minimum wage, as well as productivity bonuses, which strengthens staff retention. Camino Verde has a doctor visit the farm weekly to care for any farm- ers needing assistance. Vicente teaches his farmers the big picture of cocoa farming, providing them with extensive training. Teaching farmers how to be responsible of their own domain, from irrigation system management, pruning, and harvesting to disease management, gives employees pride and ownership over their portion of the farm; teaching them the precision required to harvest high quality cacao.