From Coast to Cacao-st
Chocolate has a long history in Africa, but we'll keep this short and semisweet.
From coast to cacao’st, farmers around Africa are growing cacao. Once the tree trunks are choco full of pods, it’s time to harvest.
These pods are harvested by hand…
to make sure the unripe pods aren't mousse'takenly harvested and only the ripest are picked.
The pods are opened, exposing white fruit and beans which are then left to ferment for no morsel than a week.
The fermented beans are finally sun-dried and shipped worldwide to feed chocolate nib'blers across the globe.
Meet Jean, Raphael, and Cylvain—farmers in Cameroon whose fields of cacao have bean passed down from generation to generation.
These farmers will receive microloans to buy equipment for their cacao fields thanks to the fabric finds of two chip’per travelers who explored Cameroon themselves...
(Cameroon Tote by Danielle Chambers)
(Cameroon Tote by Jodie Pelusi)
And here are a few other fabrics found by travelers who em'bar'ked on journeys to Africa to fund their own microloans too...
(Rwanda Tote by Kelsey Friedman)
Here’s to exploring Africa coast to cacao’st and to feeling good—because after all, it’s Friday!
-Jack & Alley, Co-Founders
(Find fabric on your next trip)
Also in Feel Good Friday
A Tan’gible Difference
Traveler Patricia recently visited Tanzania as part of a service project.
She volunteers for the Kisangaji Project, a non-profit that focuses on helping meet the needs of the school and local infrastructure in the village of Kisangaji in Tanzania.
A Rwanda'ring Hero
Land of the Rising Sea
Last week we featured the Land of the Rising Sun (Japan). This week we go to the Land of the Rising Sea (Tuvalu).
Many people have never heard of the island nation of Tuvalu, so let’s start with some Fun facts:
- Tuvalu’s capital is Funafuti. That’s fun!