Our Cacao: Single-Origin Cocoa Beans & Ethical Sourcing
At Nicola’s Chocolate, every bar begins with exceptional cacao, carefully sourced from small farms and cooperatives around the world. We focus on single-origin cacao, ethical sourcing, and transparent supply chains, so we can understand where our cacao comes from and how each origin shapes flavour. Our cacao comes from El Salvador, Colombia, and Uganda - each with distinct terroir and character that influences the chocolate we craft.
We work with cacao from two farms in El Salvador, each offering a distinct flavour profile. These beans are sourced through Nahù, a specialist cacao trader based in France, and brought to our Exeter chocolate factory.
Our cacao from Hacienda San José Real de la Carrera grows in mineral-rich volcanic soils and produces beans with mouthwatering acidity and raisin notes. We’ve visited the farms ourselves and met the farmers, giving us a deeper understanding of the people, landscapes, and practices behind the cacao we use - and helping us bring a true sense of place to every bar we make.
Read our blog post about volcanic soils and cacao.
EL SALVADOR
In the Consejo Las Varas area, small producers come to sell their cacao and the price paid depends on quality. The Afromuvaras women’s association pays more for well-sorted cacao.
We work with this cacao from the Tumaco region, which has bright fruit notes and gentle acidity, with hints of red berries, citrus, and soft caramel. The diversity of landscapes and growing conditions across Colombia gives each origin its own character, which we aim to preserve in the chocolate we make.
COLOMBIA
Tucked into the foothills of the Rwenzori mountain range sits a stretch of lush soil enriched by eras of volcanic activity. Here you’ll find 900+ smallholder farmers sharing this fertile land, with each growing 1-3 acres of cocoa as their primary income source.
Our Ugandan cacao comes from these smallholder farms, through specialist cacao partners who prioritise quality, traceability, and farmer support.
These beans produce chocolate with rich cocoa depth, subtle fruit notes, and a rounded, comforting profile. The warm climate and fertile soils of western Uganda help shape the flavour of each harvest, and we work carefully with these beans to let their natural character shine through in every bar.
Try our 100% Uganda bar - fruity and surprisingly mild and creamy!