Learn About The Farms We Work With

Kakow partners with indigenous farmers around the world to deliver the highest quality organic, ethically sourced cacao. We work closely with Springs Cacao, Deusa Do Cacau, and Ruk’u’x Ulew. We are proud to work with these farms, and believe that the love and hard work that these farmers pour into harvesting and processing cacao, is what makes our products so special. We are so excited to introduce these farms to you!

Springs Cacao:

Cacao Source has set out to offer educational opportunities that explore cacao, rainforest ecology, agroforestry, processing, the empowerment of women’s and farmer's collectives, environmental restoration, and cacao ceremonies. Cacao Source believes in collaboration, and that the impactful work that they do, wouldn’t be possible without partnership. Cacao Source partners with Springs Cacao, which is the farm that we buy from!

Springs Cacao is a local strain on a family owned, isolated island. This farm is located in the Suchitepequez region, at an altitude of 400m and operates in a diverse agroforestry ecosystem. Cacao Springs has proximity with both coffee plantations, and multiple springs. Spring's cacao highlights a deep bitterness with coffee and banana accents. Due to the abundance of water in the village (Las Victorias) where it grows, Springs cacao contains a fat content surpassing most cacaos in the world.

Ruk’u’x Ulew:

Ruk’u’x Ulew is a 100% Mayan owned, all indigenous women’s collective that produces artisanal Guatemalan grown ceremonial cacao. They source all of their premium, ceremonial grade cacao from Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and process it in San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. At Ruk’u’x Ulew, each cacao bean is fermented, sun-dried, lightly roasted, and peeled by hand. Following this, the cacao is milled in small batches, packaged fresh, and enjoyed around the world.

Ruk'u'x Ulew was founded in 2016 by Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal, an indigenous Mayan mother of three, born and raised in San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. Cecilia ran a small cafe in her village, and many local women came to her asking for employment. She was saddened that she was unable to offer them employment, so she would pray for guidance on how to help these women. This is what led Cecilia to found Ruk'u'x Ulew. Cecilia explains; “I love this work, the cacao is a teacher for me. It is not an obligation, it is a loving project. We don’t rush the process, we work patiently. I explain the importance of this to each of the women. Our customers often report that they can feel the love we put into it.” Here at Kakow, we are passionate about high-vibration food, and this is why we love partnering with farms like Ruk'u'x Ulew!

Deusa Do Cacau:

Deusa Do Cacao, which means “cacao goddess” in Portuguese, is a small, organic producer of cacao. Deusa Do Cacao sources cacao beans from small, organic family productions in the Bahia Region on the Cacao Coast, in the 50-year-old cacao forests. This farm uses only organic fertilizers and produces cacao blocks by cold pressing with a stone grinder. Deusa Do Cacao partners with an organization from France, with a background in agronomy, and applied skills in making exceptional quality cacao with skillfully chosen ceremonial grade cacao beans. Deusa Do Cacao was founded by Deni Macan, a certified yoga teacher who has traveled the world and found passion in Buddhism. This cacao is charged with the force of the ocean and is touched and cared for by the hands of local Afro-Brazilian Bahian people, who hold in their hearts a passion for life, inexperienced in other parts of the world.