Cacao Insights was born from a deep desire to understand the intricate world of cacao—a multifaceted plant hiding many layers of understanding, unspoken attributes and overlooked properties.
Instead, the cup they were served turned out to be an Origin Cacao drink—single-origin pure cacao paste dissolved in water with some extra spices; much closer to what’d today be referred to as one of the “traditional ways” of consuming cacao.
That moment changed everything. What began as a simple tasting soon became an exploration into the layers of cacao—aromas, history, culture, and its unique effects on the mind and body.
That first taste was both a revelation and the start of an important friendship. The cacao was served by Erik and Leonie, founders of Pure Kakaw, who would go on to become mentors and dear friends, guiding Romane and Mathieu on this unexpected journey.
The initial project, which mainly took the form of a Cacao Guide, involved in-depth analysis and profiling of pure cacao pastes, alongside interviews with key figures in the Origin Cacao world. Over the next four years, they developed a detailed tasting protocol, reviewing over 40 single-origin cacao pastes from 15 origin countries and a dozen brands/producers.
But it soon grew into something larger. Along the way, they consulted with several Origin Cacao brands, producers, craft chocolate makers, hosted numerous tasting sessions and ephemeral Cacao Bars, cultivating a passion for sharing their findings and educating others about the richness of cacao.
Meanwhile, they kept on nourishing their first love for bean-to-bar chocolate, profiling hundreds of bars and diving into each artisan’s singularities.
Through their process, the founders refined their palates, immersed themselves in the industry, deepened their knowledge of cacao and shared their insights through reviews, articles and socials.
Doing so, one key question kept on arising: What if each cacao, given it is properly grown and transformed, not only had its own specific flavor profile, but also its own bioactive fingerprint?
By experimenting and documenting the effects of high-grade single-origin cacaos, they began to notice something fascinating. Beyond the unique aromatic notes, each cacao had a distinct influence on the mind and body—its own subtle neuroactive response. This understanding became the driving force behind Cacao Insights, sparking a desire to explore and understand the full spectrum of cacao’s potential.
Gradually, it became clear that the future of Cacao Insights lay in embracing the role of an intermediary: a bridge capable of connecting different segments of the industry while uncovering cacao’s full spectrum of attributes and history. Still committed to democratizing Origin Cacao, they realized that doing justice to this plant required a broader mission. Over the course of their journey, they naturally stepped into a position of advocacy—championing a more complete and equitable perspective on cacao, one that could help move it beyond its narrow image as just a commodity or a chocolate ingredient.
Fast forward to 2025, and Cacao Insights has evolved into much more than a research project. It’s now a trusted platform for all things cacao, providing knowledge, resources, and expertise. Through a holistic range of services, Cacao Insights advocates for authenticity, education, access, and transparency in the industry’s different segments.