What happens when our General Manager Adriaan leaves the office behind and walks among the cacao trees of Ecuador?
He finds the roots of our chocolate, quite literally.
What happens when our General Manager Adriaan leaves the office behind and walks among the cacao trees of Ecuador?
He finds the roots of our chocolate, quite literally.
This isn’t just a travel story. It’s the story of Direct Trade, of deeply human connections, and of how true chocolate magic starts long before it’s ever wrapped in compostable foil./
Join us on a behind-the-scenes visit to Hacienda Palo Santo, the organic cacao farm run by the Sáenz family, and discover what it really means when we say: We love our farmers.
A farm built on passion and purpose
Located in one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse cacao regions, Hacienda Palo Santo is no ordinary farm. It’s a living ecosystem where more than 48 unique cacao varieties flourish under the care of the Sáenz family—third-generation farmers with deep roots in the land and a big vision for the future.
During his visit, Adriaan saw firsthand how biodiversity, sustainability, and people-first values come together in every corner of the farm:
🌿 Fields are carefully mapped and monitored, from soil health to the age of every tree. This allows for traceability, planning, and optimal cacao quality.
💧 Rainwater reservoirs support sustainable irrigation, replenish the soil, and attract wildlife—from butterflies to birds—creating a healthy, thriving microclimate.
🌞 Cacao trees are spaced with intention, ensuring every plant receives the right amount of sunlight and airflow, reducing disease risk and improving yields.
“This isn’t just farming,” said Adriaan. “It’s caretaking of the land, the people, and the future of chocolate.”
Direct Trade in action
At Lovechock, we’ve chosen to go beyond Fair Trade chocolate by embracing Direct Trade. Why?
Because 90% of the world’s cacao is still bought by big corporations, and farmers often receive just 6–7% of the final product’s price.
Direct Trade changes that.
We buy directly from the Sáenz family and their cooperative, cutting out middlemen.
We ensure transparent pricing and fair wages year-round, not just during harvest.We visit regularly and build personal, respectful relationships. During his visit, Adriaan spent time with the entire Sáenz family, learning how they live, farm, and support their community with dignity and pride.
People first: Caring for the community
The Sáenz family doesn’t just cultivate cacao, they cultivate care.
Here are just a few ways Hacienda Palo Santo supports its people:
Housing for workers who live far away
Year-round employment, not just seasonal jobs
Health, life, and accident insurance for all team members
A worker loan program for emergencies like medical costs or home repairs
Investments in internet and infrastructure to support the entire region
This level of support is sadly rare in the global chocolate industry, but it's the standard at Hacienda Palo Santo, and it’s why we’re so proud to partner with them.
Planet-friendly practices
“Our fields are our home,” says María Sáenz, who manages daily farm operations. “That’s why we never use chemicals, cut down trees, or allow hunting or fishing on our land.”
Sustainability is woven into every step of the process
The farm is certified organic and rejects monoculture practices
Weather stations help determine the optimal time to irrigate
Water is collected and reused intelligently
Wildlife is protected, and local ecosystems are nurtured
Every bar of Lovechock you enjoy is made from cacao grown in harmony with the planet.
From bean to bar – A transparent journey
What makes Lovechock chocolate so unique isn’t just the ingredients, it’s the process:
Fermentation: Daily turning, strict inspections, and carefully tracked batches bring out the cacao’s full flavor potential.
Drying – Slow: controlled drying ensures rich aromas and long-lasting quality.
Quality control: Every batch is tested for moisture, flavor, and texture before it ever leaves the farm.
Processing at origin: Unlike most chocolate companies, we don’t ship raw beans to Europe. Instead, the raw cacao mass is made locally in Ecuador, keeping more value at origin and supporting the regional economy.
And the final step? Bringing the finished Lovechock bars back to the farm so the people who grow the cacao can taste what their work has created. As Adriaan said, “It’s a full-circle moment—pure joy.”
So next time you unwrap a Lovechock bar, remember:
There’s a whole family, a whole farm, and a whole philosophy inside.