Food and the way it is grown can make a huge difference in preserving nature. As we search for rare cacaos (the original beans), we find them exclusively in biodiversity hotspots, the world’s wildest nature spots. Together with the local villagers we register beans and forests of distinction and save them from extinction. We are just in time.

It is the way we grow cacao in organic forest gardens, climate-optimize our value chain – from Europe’s most climate-conscious paper mill to saving energy in our warehouse -, and protect old-growth forests that results in climate-positive products and CO2 drawdowns. The One Bar : One Tree Programme is adding hundreds of thousands of new trees each year.

Becoming an Original Beans grower is like moving from a part-time job into a long-term employment – at twice the income! Cacao becomes a source of security and pride, not exploitation. In addition to multi-year cacao purchase agreements with Original Beans, families grow their own food and sell surpluses in the local farmers markets.

Cacao is a pure superfood and superpure is how we make our chocolates. We don’t blend beans – not on the farm, not in our manufactory. We don’t add additives: no emulsifiers, false fats, no aromas. Most importantly: we emphasize cacao over sugar. It gives you a better high and health, and distinguishes Original Beans quite a bit from other brands.