This is a most interesting story about the Rabot Estate cocoa plantation. It is said to be very beautiful. In front of the plantation are the twin Piton peaks which emerge symmetrically from the Caribbean Sea. Behind them is the rain forest that stretches into the distance, studded with the gigantic peaks of Mount Gimie and plunging valleys. Right behind is the Soufrière volcano and Sulphur Springs.
The 140-acre estate is in the South West of St Lucia, near Soufrière – the original French capital. The estate is divided up into 16 different cortès or areas of terroir, with evocative names steeped in history, such as L’Hermitage, Ti Jardin, Marcial, Mathilde and Rameau.
The rich and fertile volcanic soil, and rain forest water all create a unique environment (terroir). It is perfectly suited to cocoa production, in which the cocoa trees flourish.
The following is a video of the plantation with this pristine cocoa. The cocoa trees of the Rabot Estate are primarily Trinitario species rich in Criollo genes, which give exceptionally fine cocoa which is made twice a year from the harvest.
They use no vanilla or soya lecithin which is very important for a truly exquisite chocolate. This allows the beans’ full personality to be expressed.
The chocolatier of the Rabot Estate, worthy of acclaim, is responsible for the growing of the bean to the end production of the fine chocolates. That is quite unusual. All this hard work earned the renown Hotel Chocolat the Bronze Award at the Academy of Chocolate Awards, 2006, for its 72% Dark Chocolate. Hope you enjoy watching the video.Luxury Chocolate gifts from Hotel Chocolat
Have a blessed day.
Love chocolate,
Donna
