Dandelion Maya Mountain Belize 70% Chocolate Bar

Tasting notes: strawberry ice cream, chocolate truffle

Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC) is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to connecting small-scale cacao growers in Belize with the international craft chocolate market. Nestled in the lush Toledo district, MMC was the first company in Belize to purchase wet beans directly from farmers, placing an emphasis on quality and consistency. Since its founding in 2010, MMC has worked with hundreds of smallholder farming families—primarily Q’eqchi’ and Mopan Maya—whose cacao-growing traditions span generations. Their centralized fermentation and drying facility has set a new standard for fine flavor cacao, helping put Belize on the map as a key origin for craft chocolate.

Trevor, our senior chocolate maker, shares insight into the process behind this particular harvest: ( He has been in charge of this Origin for at least 10 profiles ) 

"With this batch, our goal was to capture the signature vibrancy of Maya Mountain cacao while balancing its natural fruitiness with a deep, chocolate-forward profile. Given the limited quantity of beans available, we aimed to get the profile just right on the first try. We slightly extended the roast by one minute to meet HARPC requirements, which resulted in a subtly stronger chocolate backbone while preserving the bright berry and dairy notes we love. After comparing multiple conching times, we chose a 24-hour conche, allowing the chocolate to retain its distinctive punch and complexity. The final result is a bar that speaks to the essence of Maya Mountain—lively, nuanced, and deeply satisfying."