Hilo Cacao Orchard Tour and Chocolate Tasting - 90 mins

17-4194 Ualani Rd,Kurtistown HI 96760

24 December, 2020

Description

90-120 minute educational tour of a tropical cacao farm in Puna District on the route to Volcano National Park. See how chocolate grows! Visit a Hawaiian Cacao (or Cocoa) Orchard just 15 minutes south of Hilo in Kurtistown, Puna District. This is a working orchard with nearly 2,500 cocoa trees among a working farm of Coffee, Macadamia Nuts, Bananas, Citrus.  We will visit the cocoa nursery and cocoa orchard to view how cocoa is grown and where your favorite food, chocolate, comes from! You will handle fresh cocoa pods, open and taste fresh fruit and pulp you can't taste at home. You will then explore how beans are converted to chocolate and then retreat into a sheltered canopy for a small chocolate flight of various dark and milk chocolates from beans grown on Big Island.  You will also view the fermentory and dryers where fresh beans have their bitterness converted to delicous chocolate flavors. Appropriate for all ages.  This is a non-improved trail on grassy and moist terrain - please wear closed-toe shoes for walking up to 400 yards on uneven tropical terrain. COVID19 - we have changed this to private group tours only from the original mixed-group, $25/person tours to only single group tours due to discomfort guests feel when mixed. We will lower the price and have larger audiences when science permits. Please inform us ahead of time if any accessibility requirements are needed. Reservations are required at least 12 hours ahead of time - our cocoa expert prepares only for the amount reserved. Reservations are required no later than 12 hours before the event time  - our cocoa expert prepares only for the amount reserved. Refunds are allowed up to 7 days before the event upon request. * tour will proceed in wet weather, we have umbrellas.  **You can book private tours for times that fit your schedule. Minimum price is $200 for 1-4 people with $25 per person > 4 people. Call to arrange!