Editorial director Erin McLaughlin journeyed to We's sustainable cacao farm in Ecuador, discovering that each delectable bite of our favourite dessert has the power to transform communities in need.

In January 2018, the charitable organization We expanded its impact in Ecuador with the We Agricultural Learning Centre, a 70-hectare farm that's funded by donations and We Charity. The centre serves as a living classroom, and the charity's Me to We branch works directly with local farmers to help them optimize their own properties and grow premium-grade Fino de Aroma cacao for high-quality bars now sold across Canada and the U.S. 

The impact is epic. Profits from the sales of Me to We chocolate bars are funnelled right back into Ecuadorian communities, supporting key areas, like education (witnessed firsthand on the trip). In a country where 35 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, We-affiliated cacao farmers are earning a fair wage—so every bite of this best-ever chocolate makes a difference, and that leaves a great taste in our mouths. 

The Artisanal way: The centuries-old tradition of cacao

Tactical Training 
Fino de Aroma cacao, grown at the We farm, is the pride of Ecuador. With fruity, floral and nutty notes, it's arguably a chocolatier's dream, making it perfect to savour or scarf down. 

Photography: Stacey Van Berkel

This is Don Fabian, a local farmer and assistant manager at the learning centre, displaying an open pod.

Roast Master
Though the process has since been mechanized to yield maximum results, in traditional chocolate production, dried cacao beans are roasted over an open flame, emitting drool-worthy aromas.

Photography: Stacey Van Berkel

Daily Grind
Elbow grease has given way to machines, but the centre lets patrons (like McLaughlin, shown here) experience original methods, such as hand-grinding cacao beans. The resulting liquid cocoa can be sweetened, flavoured, tempered and moulded into the bars we delight in.

Photography: Stacey Van Berkel

The Jungle Look
Banana plants mingle with cacao plants at the We Agricultural Learning Centre, where local farmers can study yield optimization, best practices and crop harmonization and diversification to secure a rich and sustainable future for their own farms. 

Photography: Stacey Van Berkel

All you need is chocolate

Whatever flavour you choose, these rich and creamy treats make doing good taste good, too!

Me to We Chocolate That Changes Lives in Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate + Goldenberries, $5 each, shop.metowe.com.

Chocolate is a mender of broken hearts, a fixer of bad days and the essential ingredient in favourite desserts. Now that Me to We is making delicious high-quality bars that help build Ecuadorian communities in need, we ask you: Is there anything chocolate can't do?