Indigenous Cacao & Chocolate Standard (Origin)

Introduction to the Indigenous Cacao & Chocolate Standard

A Legacy from the Guiana Shield, A Land that the Chocolate Industry Forgot: The Indigenous Cacao Standard establishes a new benchmark for ethically sourced, high-quality cacao and chocolate from its origins without consideration of the unethical history related to its modern exploitation. It goes beyond existing standards by focusing on the Guiana Shield's unique characteristics as Theobroma cacao's birthplace in biodiversity and the Indigenous Peoples' irreplaceable role in preserving this ancient heritage and traditional knowledge.

The scope of the standard extends to the first domestic cacao varieties near the Equator down to Bolivia and up through Mesoamerica and Veracruz in Mexico through 1850. The Indigenous Cacao and Chocolate Standard and Guide is essential for all cacao farmers that grow ancient, heirloom, and single-estate cacao in its legal origin as a source for other chocolate makers that rely on beans from these origins. The Indigenous Cacao and Chocolate Standard is a foundation for all other previously used standards because of its transparency and simplicity in treating biodiversity and origin. The Indigenous Cacao and Chocolate Standard is a standard that focuses on sustainability with the natural environment and the rights of the collective owners of the Theobroma cacao genome (the Indigenous Peoples) and their rights under contemporary international law.

The Indigenous Cacao and Chocolate Standard and Guide will be co-authored by the most affluent and knowledgeable cacao and chocolate authors, consumers, critics, connoisseurs, legal professionals, and well-known writers on the subject of chocolate and the chocolate industry who are willing to participate in the endeavor. We intend to release the standard before 2030 as one of our objectives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Initiative and Agenda 2015-2030.   

The Guiana Shield: A Land Out of Time

• Encompassing parts of Northern Brazil, Southern Venezuela, Westernmost Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, the Guiana Shield is a geological marvel estimated to be over 3 billion years old.

• Notably absent from the fossil record, this ancient landscape has served as a refuge for life for millennia. The Guiana Shield is recognized as one of the Earth's oldest and least disturbed ecosystems.

• It boasts diverse biomes, mighty river systems, and contributes a staggering 25% of the world's freshwater. Authors have aptly named it the "Land Time Forgot."

The Legacy of Indigenous Cacao Cultivation

• Indigenous Peoples of the Guiana Shield have been cultivating Theobroma cacao for generations, their knowledge and practices deeply intertwined with the land.

• This standard disregards national and state regulations that often fail to recognize Indigenous rights and traditional practices. Our focus is on the inherent sovereignty of these communities and their time-honored connection to cacao.

Core Principles of the Honorific Indigenous Cacao Standard:

• Origin: Cacao must originate exclusively from the Guiana Shield territory governed by Indigenous Peoples.

• Wild-Grown: Cultivation practices must emphasize traditional methods, fostering a harmonious relationship with the natural environment. Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are strictly prohibited.

• Indigenous Knowledge: The standard respects and celebrates the wisdom passed down through generations of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring sustainable harvesting and processing techniques.

• Fair Trade & Community Empowerment: Indigenous communities receive a fair and equitable share of the profits, fostering economic self-sufficiency and cultural preservation.

• Transparency & Traceability: Consumers can trace their chocolate back to the specific Indigenous community that cultivated the beans, fostering a deeper connection with their purchase.

Beyond Organic: A Natural Sanctuary

• The pristine environment of the Guiana Shield surpasses the requirements of organic certification. The absence of industrial agriculture and a deep respect for nature guarantee the purest expression of Theobroma cacao.

Surpassing Existing Standards:

• This standard builds upon existing benchmarks like Chuao and El Nacional beans, recognized by UNESCO for their exceptional quality. However, it goes further by recognizing the unique heritage of the Guiana Shield and the irreplaceable role of Indigenous Peoples.

Reclaiming a Lost Legacy:

• Historical evidence suggests that the Guiana Shield once produced significantly more cacao. The Honorific Indigenous Cacao Standard aims to revitalize this heritage and restore the region to its rightful place as the premier source of the world's finest chocolate.

Conclusion:

The Honorific Indigenous Cacao Standard represents a commitment to ethically sourced, exceptional chocolate. By choosing Honorific Chocolate, you are not just indulging in a treat; you are supporting the cultural preservation and economic empowerment of Indigenous Peoples, while savoring the unparalleled taste of Theobroma cacao from the "Land Time Forgot."