Let Her Inspire You
Cocoa Trail
Let Her Inspire You
On the Trail of Saint Lucia’s Sweet Treats
From farming to beauty treatments, chocolate lovers can enjoy Saint Lucia’s long-standing history and connections to all things cocoa. The island’s chocolate legacy dates back to the cocoa industry of the 1700s. Many of the hotels and resorts celebrate this heritage with cocoa farm tours and chocolate making experiences, including one from global chocolatier Hotel Chocolat.
Mix it up with a Chocolate Cocktail at Cap Maison (Gros Islet)
Luxury boutique foodie hotel Cap Maison hosts a cocktail making masterclass where guests will have the chance to create their very own chocolate and rum based cocktail under the expert guidance of Cap Maison’s professional Rummier. The ingredients for the cocktail will include Cap Maison’s very own Cask Aged Rum and locally produced chocolate, accompanied with delicious chocolate tasting.
Indulge in Sweet Spa Treatments at Calabash Cove (Gros Islet)
Cocoa and chocolate ingredients are widely used across the island in beauty and wellness treatments. Head to Calabash Cove and spoil yourself with a luxurious chocolate body scrub that polishes away dull dry skin while leaving a delicious aroma. It is rich in antioxidants which help to fight free radicals off the skin. This scrub will gently exfoliate and revitalise your skin leaving it soft with a silky texture.
Sample Cocoa Tea at the Farmhers’ Market (Castries)
Organised by Helen’s Daughters, the Farmhers’ market takes place on the last Saturday of every month in Castries. Shop the stalls and meet women farmers who sell a wide range of crafts and organic goodies from sea moss gels to cocoa tea. Cocoa tea is a staple Saint Lucian morning beverage made from cocoa sticks, milk and delicious spices. Helen’s Daughters is a non-profit organisation that works at grassroots level providing training and mentorship to rural women farmers, who had been mainly unacknowledged and under-supported in the agricultural sector.
Make your own chocolate at The Howelton Estate (Castries)
With stunning views over Castries, Howelton is one of the oldest houses on the island. This is a bean-to-bar experience under the guidance of the house chocolatier. The class begins with a lesson on the history of chocolate and the unique Saint Lucian cocoa bean and concludes with each participant having hand manufactured their very own scrumptious dark chocolate bar. This tour is open to ages seven years and older.
Breakfast at Cacoa Sainte-Lucie (Canaries)
Situated on the west coast, this artisan chocolate company is owned by a local female entrepreneur. There are four chocolate experiences to enjoy along with a chocolate shop serving freshly made creations. Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at the newly opened gourmet restaurant serving up delicious cocoa-infused dishes such as cocoa-crusted grilled Mahi.
Sip Chocolate Beer at Emerald Farm, Jade Mountain (Soufriere)
This organic farm is part of the Jade Mountain resort and it’s here that cacao is grown for the estate’s chocolate production alongside fruits, coffee, vanilla and vegetables, all providing ingredients for the resort’s kitchen. The farm also has a micro-brewery, Antilla Brewing Company, which produces a range of natural beers including a chocolate stout aged on citrus peels. Cheers to that!
Taste the Chocolate menu at Stonefield Villa Resort (Soufriere)
Enjoy a chocolate infused menu at the Mango Tree restaurant every Friday evening. Guests simply have to reserve a table and ask for the chocolate menu. Stonefield used to be a working cocoa plantation before it was developed into a resort. The chefs use locally grown cocoa in all their infused dishes.
Explore the Cacao Farm at Project Chocolat, Rabot Estate (Soufriere)
Building on a decade of success, cacao grower and world-renowned chocolatier Hotel Chocolat has transformed its famous Tree to Bar experience across a six-acre site at Rabot Estate. Project Chocolat connects ethical cacao-growing with chocolate-lovers in an immersive agri-tourism experience. Here, you’ll find out how cacao grows, head into the rainforest for a tour of the cacao groves and learn how to graft a tree before hand-crafting your very own chocolate bar. You will discover cacao cuisine, be served street-food style, cocktails and more – all enjoyed looking out over the Pitons. Finish by treating yourself to cacao alcohols, cacao beauty products and more chocolate in the marketplace.
Get down with The Chocolate Dance at Fond Doux Eco Resort (Soufriere)
The Chocolate Heritage Tour at Fond Doux takes you through the history of Saint Lucia’s connections with cocoa. It also features the hypnotic Cocoa-rina dance which helps to shell the beans. The tour is an interactive experience where you can discover the history of the plantation resort, see how cocoa beans are processed from scratch then head to the chocolate shop to get an inside view of where the magic happens. You can also create your own chocolate.