Growing up, I watch my mom drink Mayan chocolate the traditional way. My dad is a farmer and grew cacao pods for her enjoyment. We are descendants of the Mopan Mayan, living in the rainforest of southern Belize, sustained through the natural resources around us. Raising our own chickens, pigs and vegetables.

In 2010, I was happily married but unable to gain employment due to my disability. Together, my wife and I decided to start Che’il Chocoloate with the cacao from my dad’s farm.

We have grown from consuming 30 pounds of cacao beans a year to 13,000 pounds a year. We source only organic cacao beans from small local Maya cacao farmers, paying them above market. For us, chocolate is an integral part of our heritage, not just a treat.

Today, we continue to produce quality Che’il cacao products in small batches: chocolate bars in 12 different flavours, cacao powder, instant Choco-Maya drink, cacao nibs, cacao tea, cacao fruit nectar, chocolate syrup, and more.

From a husband and wife team, we now have a staff of 8 people – all Mayas. We invite you to come and experience our traditional methods on our farm the “wild Maya” way.