Discover Chocolate in St. Lucia This Winter!

Did you know that chocolate is a big part of St. Lucia’s culture and history? That’s right! St. Lucia has actually become a world leader in “chocolate tourism”, drawing chocolate lovers and connoisseurs from all over the world to experience the cacao plantations and chocolate manufacturing on our island.

This December, you can take part in a delicious and educational event that will open your eyes to the world of harvesting cacao and the production of chocolate in St. Lucia. The Discover Chocolate Festival is happening on December 10th at the Jade Mountain Resort just north of Soufriere, and less than a 20-minute drive away from Stonefield Villa Resort.

This event bills itself as a “hands-on interactive experience in the world of cacao and chocolate”. You’ll get to start off with a chocolate-centric cocktail party in the Jade Lounge, which will feature chocolate-inspired savoury canapés and cocktails. After this, you will go back to where the chocolate production process begins with a tour of the Emerald Estate Organic Farm, which will take you into the world of the cacao plantation.

The event continues with a course on the alchemy of chocolate, where you will taste and pair wines with hand-made organic Emerald Estate Chocolate. Everything from how the chocolate looks to how it smells and tastes is a major factor in pairing the best chocolate with the most compatible wine. In the evening, join a chocolate dinner which will feature delicious local cuisine with — of course — a chocolate flair.

The next day, you’ll partake in a chocolate truffle making workshop where you get to take home the goodies you make. You’ll also sip on adult chocolate milkshakes and “jungle burgers” which you can enjoy on the Anse Mamin Beach. This is followed by a walk through the historic Anse Mamin plantation. Originally a sugar cane plantation, it eventually switched to harvesting cocoa crops that have become internationally renowned. Your chocolate experience will be rounded off with a trip to the chocolate lab where you’ll get to see how delicious St. Lucia chocolate is actually manufactured. Finally, the Anse Chastanet chocolate cocktail party on night two will serve hors d’oeuvres, spiced rum punch, and a St. Lucian tropical chocolate fondue featuring Emerald Estate chocolate.

Stay tuned to the Facebook page for more event details including tickets and registration! And if you're craving more St. Lucian chocolate, the friendly staff at the Stonefield Villa Resort will be happy to give you recommendations for other awesome chocolate destinations around the island.