Cocoa is life.
On one of his many beloved trips to the lush island of Dominica, Peter crossed paths with Blue Boy - one of the island’s most experienced cocoa growers and chocolate makers. He marvelled at witnessing the journey Blue Boy took with the cocoa beans. This journey involves processing the beans into a rich paste that will eventually become the delicious treat we know as chocolate. However, this chocolate is artisan, organic and naturally wonderfully flavourful. Blue Boy also makes fragrant Cocoa Sticks, resulting in a real island style Cocoa Tea.
Cocoa deep in paradise.
“One of the most amazing places I came across over the last 40 years in the Caribbean is an old Cocoa Estate called “Gingerette”. This property has had a history of changing owners but has finally found a family that lets this place come alive. An active cocoa plantation, now with hundreds of mature cocoa trees, breath- taking views, a boutique inn with the best river pool I have came across all these years in Dominica. We are proud to be associated with this “gem in the jungle” and its owners, the Shillingford family, which supplies us with the best quality cocoa beans and some of their chocolate products for the Antigua House of Chocolate.”
“I have also found and come to fall in love with Pointe Babtiste House in Calibichie - a great property with lots of history and the home of Dominica Chocolate Factory. Alan Napier, the grandson of the original owners Elma and Lennox Napier who built the house almost a century ago has brought the property back to life with this chocolate factory and also has the beautiful home available for vacation rentals. I am privileged to say that this is one of my favourite soulful places to stay in Dominica and have taken some insight into organic and artisan chocolate making from Alan and his team. His rum truffles are one of my favourites and this place is a must visit when in Dominica!”
“As we are offering chocolate products in our chocolate shop which are made in the Antigua House of Chocolate, we also offer regional products from small growers in order to support sustainable farming and cottage industries…so you will find products from St.Vincent, St,Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Santo Domingo, Jamaica and of course Dominica to name a few.”
Cocoa: from bean to bar.
Our vision at the Antigua House of Chocolate provides artisan, organic and healthy chocolate products for the people of Antigua & Barbuda. We are privileged to be able to support small chocolate enterprises across the Caribbean along the way.
Our chocolatey offerings include freshly brewed cocoa tea (organic, pure & seasoned) which can be enjoyed hot or cold, chocolate dipped truffles (with and without local rum), shelf chocolate; seasoned with roasted coconut flakes, lemongrass, ginger and other spices.
In the future, customers will also be able to take part in hands on bean-to-bar chocolate making experiences!
