Caonia ~ “Family legacy rooted in transformation, well-being and a profound connection with the land.”
I am so honoured to share with you a recent collaboration that was formed while traveling in Rivera, Huila ~ Colombia. My heart knew I was going to be connected with someone special but I did not anticipate being blessed with meeting souls who have such a pure mission, rooted in love, intention and family.
Family trip to Villa Stefanny ~ a special day that will forever remain in my heart.
Moment captured on the farm with Senor Bernardo
“The story behind Caonia began 25 years ago with a life-changing decision. Bernardo, a successful pharmacy entrepreneur, was diagnosed with a degenerative illness (ALS), a turning point that led him to question everything.
He chose to leave behind the world he knew and moved to the countryside. There, he became a cacao farmer. In the quiet of nature, he discovered something powerful: cacao was not just a crop—it was nourishment, balance, and a new way of understanding health. What started as a personal healing journey slowly became something meant to be shared.”
Having the opportunity to be with Bernardo on his land and witness the care that goes into his work was so touching, you can feel the love, passion, wisdom and authenticity radiate out of his being. When someone experiences a profound transformation with a plant, how they care for it is so incredibly felt.
Who They Are
“They are a father and daughter connected by the same purpose, expressed in different ways.
Bernardo is the farmer, the one who listens to the land and cultivates cacao with patience and respect. Estefanía, his daughter, is the one who gives that cacao a new voice—transforming it into natural chocolate through Caonia, honouring its origin while bringing it closer to people. Together, they are land and vision. Origin and evolution.”
The “Why” Behind Their Work
“At the heart of their work is a deeply human intention: to share a different way of understanding well-being.
Bernardo once dedicated his life to selling medicine. Today, he cultivates cacao as a natural source of health.
Estefanía continues that path, not only preserving his legacy, but translating it into meaningful products—chocolate that carries story, care, and intention.”
The Values of Caonia
I was so touched to learn about their values, the foundation of Caonia:
Living in harmony with nature
Honouring the origin of what is consumed
Conscious and sustainable agriculture
Family, legacy, and resilience
Creating with purpose and authenticity
They hold a loving intention to “create chocolate that feels real— that connects people not only with flavor, but with origin, story, and well-being.”
Their mission is to cultivate cacao with respect for the land and transform it into high-quality natural chocolate through Caonia, sharing a product that nourishes both body and soul.
What Makes Their Cacao Special
“Their cacao grows in a protected natural environment, where biodiversity and life are respected. It is cultivated by Bernardo with care, and transformed by Estefanía into chocolate that preserves its essence. But what truly makes it special is what people feel when they experience it: a story of change, of slowing down, of returning to what truly matters. A legacy where a father found a new way to live…
and a daughter chose to share it with the world.”
I hope these words assist you in understanding the importance of supporting businesses that honour every aspect of production. Maman Cacao serves as a bridge to bring “Liquid Gold” to the communities here, to allow access to one of the finest quality cacaos out there. I believe that when we truly appreciate how sacred this product is, we can full heartedly receive the benefits cacao has to offer us; heart, body, mind & spirit.
With love and gratitude,
Nicole
Grateful heart ~ such an honour to be the bridge
CACAO POD
The sacred fruit that thrives best in connection to other plants, it is also a catalyst for community when consumed with reverence and intention. This spectacular gift from Pachamama holds the liquid gold we all get to experience in our cups! What a joy to be alive and witness the ancient prophecy unfold before our eyes. “Cacao will come back to the masses when we have lost connection to our heart.”
