Cacao Farm & Chocolate Tasting in Jubones: My 2025 Tour Review

So, you are thinking about a day trip that, you know, is a bit out of the ordinary. I honestly had this picture in my head of what a perfect excursion feels like. It often involves amazing food and, sort of, seeing something totally unexpected. This is that trip, more or less. Actually, the idea of mixing a deep dive into chocolate with a visit to a desert felt a little strange at first. They are, you know, two totally different worlds. Anyway, one is so lush and full of life, while the other is, like, all about stillness and stark open spaces. To be honest, this particular combination works incredibly well. At the end of the day, it’s about seeing two different faces of Ecuador, one right after the other. It really gives you a feeling for the country’s amazing diversity. We are talking about a day that genuinely engages all your senses, from the smell of fresh chocolate to the sight of a sun-baked landscape, so get ready.

A Morning with Cacao at a Family-Run Farm

Right, so the day began with a really comfortable ride out of the city. The air, you know, started to change as we got further out, becoming cleaner and smelling a bit like morning dew. Then, basically, we pulled up to this small, unpretentious farm called ‘Finca La Herencia’. Seriously, it didn’t feel like a tourist stop at all. It honestly felt like we were visiting a friend’s family home. As a matter of fact, the owner, a man with a warm smile named Mateo, greeted us himself. You could just tell he was deeply connected to this land; it’s basically been in his family for generations. He started talking about cacao not like a product, but, you know, like a part of his family story. It was, sort of, completely different from a typical guided tour.

Anyway, we then walked through the cacao groves. The trees, like, weren’t in perfect rows but grew more naturally, kind of mixed with banana and citrus trees. Mateo, you know, pointed out the cacao pods hanging directly from the trunks. I mean, they were beautiful, with colors from deep purple to a sunny yellow and bright orange. He picked one, and just like that, cracked it open with a machete to show us the white, pulpy beans inside. Of course, he invited us to taste the pulp. To be honest, it was a total surprise. It tasted nothing like chocolate, but instead, it was sort of tangy and sweet, kind of like a lychee or a mangosteen. Honestly, seeing where chocolate begins, in this very raw and natural form, changes how you see that bar you buy in the store. It’s pretty much a whole different thing.

We actually followed him to an area with these large wooden boxes. So, this is where the magic starts, right? He explained that this is the fermentation area. You know, he scooped up some of the beans, and the smell was really intense, a very strong, vinegary, and fruity aroma. It’s arguably a key part of developing the flavors we associate with chocolate. Next, we saw the beans spread out on huge trays, drying in the sun. He showed us how to rake them and check for the right level of dryness. You could just feel the amount of care and traditional knowledge that goes into every single step. Clearly, this wasn’t some big factory operation; it was pretty much artistry passed down through the years.

More Than a Sweet Treat: The Chocolate Tasting

So, after seeing the beans’ origins, we, like, moved on to the part everyone was waiting for. You know, the chocolate making and tasting part. Basically, we went into this rustic, open-air workshop where the air was just thick with the smell of roasting cacao. Seriously, it was one of the most comforting smells. At the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like it. In a corner, a small roaster was tumbling the dried beans, and you could actually hear the gentle crackling sound. Mateo let us try a freshly roasted bean, and you know, it was warm, crunchy, and intensely chocolatey, a bit bitter but absolutely amazing.

Then came the grinding. In other words, they use a traditional stone grinder, a metate, to turn the roasted nibs into a thick paste. Mateo’s wife, Elena, was actually the one showing us how it was done. It obviously takes a lot of strength and skill. As she ground the nibs, the paste, which they call chocolate liquor, slowly emerged. I mean, the aroma just intensified. So, we sat down at this long wooden table set up for the tasting. It looked really beautiful, with little bowls of different kinds of chocolate. Elena explained each one to us. We basically started with a 65% dark chocolate, which was incredibly smooth and had these, like, fruity notes. Then we moved to a 75%, which was a little more intense, with hints of coffee and nuts.

Frankly, you haven’t really tasted chocolate until you’ve had it this fresh, just minutes after being ground. It’s sort of a completely different food group.

Okay, the highlight for me, honestly, was trying the 100% cacao. I was, like, prepared for it to be really bitter, and it was, but in a very complex way. It wasn’t just bitter; it was also kind of earthy and had a long, pleasant aftertaste. So then Elena did something amazing. She brought out a small plate of passion fruit and told us to try a tiny bit with the 100% cacao. You know, the combination was absolutely stunning. The tartness of the fruit just cut through the bitterness of the chocolate, and it sort of created this whole new flavor profile. At the end of the day, it shows you how food is all about balance and creativity. We left that farm feeling really full, not just from the chocolate, but from the whole experience.

From Green to Gold: The Jubones Desert Surprise

So, after being surrounded by all that green, the next part of the day was, like, a total shift. We got back into our comfortable transport and started driving. For instance, you could see the scenery out the window begin to change dramatically. The lush, tropical plants slowly gave way to, you know, smaller, hardier shrubs. The color palette just changed from greens to browns, oranges, and yellows. The air also felt different, a bit drier and warmer. Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect from the Jubones desert. I mean, the word “desert” makes you think of huge sand dunes, right?

But the Jubones region is, sort of, different. It’s more of a dry forest and scrubland, which is, in its own way, incredibly beautiful. Our guide found a perfect spot to pull over, and we just got out to walk around. Seriously, the silence was the first thing I noticed. After the sounds of the farm, this quiet felt really profound. You could just hear the wind. The landscape was dotted with these strange, twisted trees called ceibos, with their thick, green-grey trunks. There were also, you know, different kinds of cacti and other plants that have obviously figured out how to live in this tough spot.

The light here was just amazing. The afternoon sun cast these long shadows and made the red-orange soil almost glow. We just spent some time walking, taking photos, and, sort of, absorbing the peacefulness of it all. It’s pretty much the perfect counterpoint to the sensory richness of the cacao farm. Anyway, one provided this intense, flavorful, and human experience, and this one offered, you know, quiet, space, and a feeling of awe for nature’s resilience. It really cleanses your palate, both literally and figuratively. You get to see two very different, but equally authentic, parts of the country in a single day, which is kind of amazing.

Helpful Pointers for Your Own Day Out

Alright, if you’re planning on doing this tour, I have a few suggestions for you. First, definitely wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You will, you know, be walking on uneven ground at the farm and in the desert area, so sandals are probably not the best idea. Light clothing is also a good choice, maybe in layers. Basically, the farm can be a bit humid, while the desert is dry and can be quite sunny and warm. It’s actually a good idea to be prepared for both.

Likewise, I would really suggest bringing a hat, sunglasses, and some good sunscreen. You know, the Ecuadorian sun, even on a cloudy day, is incredibly strong. You’ll be outside for a good part of the day, so it’s just smart to protect your skin. A reusable water bottle is also a great thing to have; the tour provider usually has water to refill it, which is pretty good for staying hydrated. And, of course, bring your camera. The contrast between the farm and the desert offers some really unique photo opportunities. You’ll want to capture it all, honestly.

In terms of who this tour is for, I’d say it’s great for almost everyone. It’s fantastic for couples, families with older kids who have an interest in food, and even solo travelers. As a matter of fact, our group was a nice mix. The walking is not very strenuous, so most people with average fitness can handle it easily. That said, it might be a bit of a challenge for people with significant mobility problems because of the natural, uneven paths. At the end of the day, the guides are really accommodating and clearly love what they do, so you are in good hands. They make the day really special with their stories and knowledge.

A Quick Recap of the Day

This experience is really more than just a tour; it’s a beautifully curated day that showcases the incredible diversity of a place. You start with this deep, personal connection to a food that everyone loves, seeing it made with genuine passion. And then, just when you think you have the day figured out, you’re transported to a completely different, almost alien landscape that is peaceful and stunning. It’s a day of delightful contrasts that leaves you with a much fuller appreciation for the region.

Authentic Farm Vibe: So, you are actually visiting a real family farm, not some sort of tourist setup.
Hands-On Tasting: Basically, you get to see, smell, and taste chocolate at every stage, from the raw pulp to the finished product.
Stunning Natural Contrast: Anyway, the shift from the lush cacao grove to the stark, golden Jubones desert is visually and emotionally very powerful.
Wonderfully Organized: At the end of the day, everything from transport to the guides is well-managed, making for a smooth and relaxing day.

Read our full review: 2025 Cacao Farm & Chocolate Tasting Jubones Full Review and Details

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