Behind the Moloaa Fruit Stand, you can find Garden Island Chocolate busy growing an abundance of cacao trees and processing the tastiest treats around. They proudly use sustainable, permaculture farming systems to grow their cacao trees and harvest the fruit. Then, they ferment the pods into the highest-quality chocolate using time-honored practices gleaned from endless research.
Beyond that, Garden Island Chocolate opens its doors to the world every Monday and Thursday to educate the public during its three-hour tasting tours. These leisurely tours take you through the process of growing and processing cacao beans to produce fine chocolate creations of all kinds.
Upon signing up, you’ll get to take a walking tour of the farm to view all the trees up close and see how the cacao pods grow. After that, you’ll return to see how the pods are harvested, fermented, and otherwise processed into the chocolate you know and love. You can even help open up the pods and try one of the fresh fruits inside, which boast big flavor that’ll likely leave you feeling a bit surprised.
After you see the process up close, get ready for them to serve up tons of culinary delights that ignite your tastebuds and keep you on your toes every step of the way, including 20 amazing types of chocolate. Flavors you might encounter include allspice, garam marsala, and Chinese 5 spice, although it changes up each day to keep things fresh for repeat visitors.
One thing you can count on every time at Garden Island Chocolate is that the chocolate served on the tour is always 85% cacao — no milk chocolate here — so, be ready for rich, robust flavors with every bite. The lack of excess sugar is definitely a good thing, too, since you’ll be stuffed full of chocolate by the end of the tour.
Although all Garden Island Chocolate samples are well worth the trip, their traditional hot chocolate is the star of the show. Made using fresh coconut, whole vanilla pods, chocolate liquor, local honey, and so much more, this exquisite drink demands that you savor every sip. To get the full experience, just take it slow and swirl the chocolate through your mouth to catch all the complex flavors lurking inside.
After you’re done with the Garden Island Chocolate tour, stop by their gift shop to grab plenty of delightful treats for the road. Although their rare chocolate varieties cost a pretty penny, they are well worth the bragging rights if you’re able to take them home. Plus, your contribution supports sustainable farming practices, which help preserve island life and keep the small farm operating well into the future.
Insider Tips:
-These pictures include the old tour guide at the old location. The new location is new and improved in Moloaa! You can see pictures on their Instagram.
-Hungry for even more info about chocolate? Get on over to the weekly Waipa Farmer’s Market to hear their talks and see what’s on tap.
-The schedule at Garden Island Chocolate fills up fast, especially during the height of the tourist season. To avoid missing out, use their online scheduling system to book your spot as early as possible.
-They do not cancel tours if it starts raining. If that’s the case, wear a poncho or bring an umbrella to stay dry while you check out the farm.
-When Garden Island Chocolate tours are in progress, the gift shop is closed. So, be prepared to wait until they get back if you’re just dropping by to buy a few things.