### USA > Free shipping to the USA for orders of USD $50. Free 2-day FedEx service for orders of USD $150. **Rates** Standard shipping: USPS ($10 for orders under $50 or free for orders of $50 and above). FedEx Express options: 2-Day ($15 for orders under $150 or complimentary for $150 and above) or overnight ($40). **Cut off time for same day dispatch** 8am Mountain Time, Monday to Friday excluding US/Utah public holidays **Standard delivery times** 3-4 working days to most destinations, unless 2-day or overnight express options is chosen All orders are dispatched from Utah, USA. ### Rest of the world (ex. Ecuador) > Free shipping to the Rest of the World for orders of USD $100. Standard shipping: UPS or DHL ($30 for orders under $100 or free for orders of $100 and above). Express options: All packages are shipped via express courier. **Cut off time for same day dispatch** 8am Mountain Time, Monday to Friday excluding US/Utah public holidays **Standard delivery times** 5-7 working days to most destinations All orders are dispatched from Utah, USA. ### Ecuador Orders for Ecuador can be collected from our office in Quito (please [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact)) or we deliver to major cities in Ecuador with Servientrega (free of charge). ### Sipping Insurance All online orders receive complimentary shipping insurance with Route.com. Read the details [here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance). ### Countries we cannot ship to or that require additional paperwork There are a small number of countries we cannot ship to due to the import restrictions that those countries impose on foodstuffs. Currently we cannot ship to: * Japan * Venezuela The following countries **may require** additional information (such as ID number) or paperwork to be completed for the order to clear customs: * India * Russia * Mexico * Turkey * China * Liechtenstein * Colombia * Poland #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

### USA > Free shipping to the USA for orders of USD $50. Free 2-day FedEx service for orders of USD $150. **Rates** Standard shipping: USPS ($10 for orders under $50 or free for orders of $50 and above). FedEx Express options: 2-Day ($15 for orders under $150 or complimentary for $150 and above) or overnight ($40). **Cut off time for same day dispatch** 8am Mountain Time, Monday to Friday excluding US/Utah public holidays **Standard delivery times** 3-4 working days to most destinations, unless 2-day or overnight express options is chosen All orders are dispatched from Utah, USA. ### Rest of the world (ex. Ecuador) > Free shipping to the Rest of the World for orders of USD $100. Standard shipping: UPS or DHL ($30 for orders under $100 or free for orders of $100 and above). Express options: All packages are shipped via express courier. **Cut off time for same day dispatch** 8am Mountain Time, Monday to Friday excluding US/Utah public holidays **Standard delivery times** 5-7 working days to most destinations All orders are dispatched from Utah, USA. ### Ecuador Orders for Ecuador can be collected from our office in Quito (please [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact)) or we deliver to major cities in Ecuador with Servientrega (free of charge). ### Sipping Insurance All online orders receive complimentary shipping insurance with Route.com. Read the details [here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance). ### Countries we cannot ship to or that require additional paperwork There are a small number of countries we cannot ship to due to the import restrictions that those countries impose on foodstuffs. Currently we cannot ship to: * Japan * Venezuela The following countries **may require** additional information (such as ID number) or paperwork to be completed for the order to clear customs: * India * Russia * Mexico * Turkey * China * Liechtenstein * Colombia * Poland #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Percentages In terms of chocolate bars, our lowest percentage bar is 73% cacao (from our 2015 harvest) which is the based of our [Tequila Cask Aged](https://toakchocolate.com/products/tequila-cask-signature-chocolate) bars, and it was made with the intention to be a very gentle dark chocolate. Our [2017 harvest](https://toakchocolate.com/products/rain-harvest-2017-signature-chocolate) also has a relatively low cacao percentage of 76%. In addition, our [Galapagos Harvest](https://toakchocolate.com/products/galapagos-harvest-2018-signature) has a fudge-like texture and taste which many people who enjoy milk chocolate will find this chocolate very approachable. You should also take a look at our [cacao powder and drinking chocolate](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/t-cacao), which you can add milk or additional sweeteners to, if you so desire. ## No to low bitterness All of our chocolate is made with the highest quality fine flavor cacao beans. We're also meticulous when it comes to important post-harvest and productions steps such as fermentation, sun-drying, roasting and conching. This attention to detail means that a bar of To'ak chocolate is much less bitter than most supermarket bought dark chocolate bars. Therefore you can feel confident being a little more adventurous with cacao percentage. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Percentages In terms of chocolate bars, our lowest percentage bar is 73% cacao (from our 2015 harvest) which is the based of our [Tequila Cask Aged](https://toakchocolate.com/products/tequila-cask-signature-chocolate) bars, and it was made with the intention to be a very gentle dark chocolate. Our [2017 harvest](https://toakchocolate.com/products/rain-harvest-2017-signature-chocolate) also has a relatively low cacao percentage of 76%. In addition, our [Galapagos Harvest](https://toakchocolate.com/products/galapagos-harvest-2018-signature) has a fudge-like texture and taste which many people who enjoy milk chocolate will find this chocolate very approachable. You should also take a look at our [cacao powder and drinking chocolate](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/t-cacao), which you can add milk or additional sweeteners to, if you so desire. ## No to low bitterness All of our chocolate is made with the highest quality fine flavor cacao beans. We're also meticulous when it comes to important post-harvest and productions steps such as fermentation, sun-drying, roasting and conching. This attention to detail means that a bar of To'ak chocolate is much less bitter than most supermarket bought dark chocolate bars. Therefore you can feel confident being a little more adventurous with cacao percentage. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**Why is To'ak chocolate expensive?** We purchase cacao directly from the cacao growers we work with in Piedra de Plata, and we pay the highest price per pound of freshly-harvested cacao in the country. As far as we know, we also pay the highest price per pound in the entire world. > The reason we’re happy to pay our cacao growers such a high price is because the cacao trees they manage are among the oldest in the world, and represent one of the last surviving remnants of what is now the rarest cacao variety in the world: Ecuador’s legendary “Ancient Nacional” cacao. By the end of the twentieth century, this historic variety was believed to be extinct. We found a valley where some of the last surviving trees still grow. **Specifically**, we pay a farmgate price that is 200% to 700% above the local price for “wet cacao.” Most cacao growers in Ecuador have no other choice but to sell their unfermented cacao to local intermediaries who typically pay $25 for a 100-pound sack. We pay $75-200 per sack of wet cacao, depending on the age of the trees that the cacao was harvested from—with the oldest trees fetching the highest price. We also exclusively produce limited editions of chocolate, with each bar packaged—in the case of our Origin bars—in handcrafted hardwood boxes, each of which is individually engraved with the bar number. Each bar also comes with tasting utensils and a booklet that tells the story behind this chocolate and includes a tasting guide. Details like this require a high degree of skilled and meticulous labor. We also invest part of our earnings into a long-term project to preserve an ancient heirloom cacao variety currently on the brink of extinction. For a deeper dive into why our chocolate is priced the way it is, feel free to check out: “[Why the Most Expensive Chocolate in the World?](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/why-the-most-expensive-chocolate-in-the-world)” **What makes it unique?** * Our chocolate is sourced from the rarest cacao variety in the world ("Ancient Nacional"), [previously believed to be extinct](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/near-extinction-of-the-worlds-oldest-cacao-variety). * We've made it our mission to [preserve and restore Heirloom Nacional cacao](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/timeline-the-project-to-preserve-ancient-nacional-cacao) with our rainforest conservation partner [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org). * We produce chocolate from tree to bar. Not only do we make chocolate, we also cultivate cacao, we ferment and dry it ourselves, and produce the final product - all in Ecuador, the native origin of cacao. * We produce extremely limited editions, often as little as 100 bars per edition. * We make single origin Ecuadorian dark chocolate like a French winemaker produces vintage wine. This means that we exclusively produce single origin, single harvest chocolate that is aimed at expressing the unique terroir of the appellation in which it is grown. * We age our chocolate the way whisky producers age their whisky, using a variety of different barrels sourced from around the world, such as Cognac, Laphroaig Whisky, Sherry, Sauternes, Don Juio Tequila, etc. We also use different types of Ecuadorian wood and other vessels that are carefully selected for their extractable aroma compounds. To’ak is the first tree-to-bar chocolate maker that comprehensively applies this principle to chocolate. * Our roots are in rainforest conservation. To’ak was born from a rainforest conservation project that co-founder Jerry Toth started in Ecuador in 2007. Through his nonprofit foundation [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org), he helped create a forest preserve along the coastal mountain range. It was here that he began cultivating cacao trees and making chocolate by hand in a thatched bamboo house secluded in the middle of the forest. * We take our [social and environmental impact](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/social-environmental-impact) seriously, starting with paying cacao growers the highest prices in the industry through an intimate direct trade relationship. We've built a technology platform for cacao traceability, we upcycle cacao byproducts to create additional revenue streams for farmers, among other several other initiatives. * Our packaging is a work of art. Our Origin bars are packaged in responsibly-sourced handcrafted hardwood boxes that are individually engraved with the bar number. The box includes hand-made tasting utensils and an illustrative booklet that tells the story behind each edition and provides a guide to dark chocolate tasting and pairing. Our Signature bars apply this same attention to artful design, but with a minimalist touch. * As members of the “purist” wing of the industry, To’ak specializes in “two-ingredient” chocolate, using only cacao and cane sugar—both of which are organic. The small addition of cane sugar is akin to a few drops of water added to a glass of whisky—it softens the inherent bitterness just enough to reveal the finer, more subtle flavor characteristics of their unique and extraordinarily rare cacao. * To’ak chocolate has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times, Wine Spectator, Fortune Magazine, The Guardian, Robb Report, Huffington Post, Vice Magazine, Süddeutsche Zeitung, TV channels such as BBC, CNBC, CNN, and FOX, and over a hundred other publications across six continents. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**Why is To'ak chocolate expensive?** We purchase cacao directly from the cacao growers we work with in Piedra de Plata, and we pay the highest price per pound of freshly-harvested cacao in the country. As far as we know, we also pay the highest price per pound in the entire world. > The reason we’re happy to pay our cacao growers such a high price is because the cacao trees they manage are among the oldest in the world, and represent one of the last surviving remnants of what is now the rarest cacao variety in the world: Ecuador’s legendary “Ancient Nacional” cacao. By the end of the twentieth century, this historic variety was believed to be extinct. We found a valley where some of the last surviving trees still grow. **Specifically**, we pay a farmgate price that is 200% to 700% above the local price for “wet cacao.” Most cacao growers in Ecuador have no other choice but to sell their unfermented cacao to local intermediaries who typically pay $25 for a 100-pound sack. We pay $75-200 per sack of wet cacao, depending on the age of the trees that the cacao was harvested from—with the oldest trees fetching the highest price. We also exclusively produce limited editions of chocolate, with each bar packaged—in the case of our Origin bars—in handcrafted hardwood boxes, each of which is individually engraved with the bar number. Each bar also comes with tasting utensils and a booklet that tells the story behind this chocolate and includes a tasting guide. Details like this require a high degree of skilled and meticulous labor. We also invest part of our earnings into a long-term project to preserve an ancient heirloom cacao variety currently on the brink of extinction. For a deeper dive into why our chocolate is priced the way it is, feel free to check out: “[Why the Most Expensive Chocolate in the World?](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/why-the-most-expensive-chocolate-in-the-world)” **What makes it unique?** * Our chocolate is sourced from the rarest cacao variety in the world ("Ancient Nacional"), [previously believed to be extinct](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/near-extinction-of-the-worlds-oldest-cacao-variety). * We've made it our mission to [preserve and restore Heirloom Nacional cacao](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/timeline-the-project-to-preserve-ancient-nacional-cacao) with our rainforest conservation partner [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org). * We produce chocolate from tree to bar. Not only do we make chocolate, we also cultivate cacao, we ferment and dry it ourselves, and produce the final product - all in Ecuador, the native origin of cacao. * We produce extremely limited editions, often as little as 100 bars per edition. * We make single origin Ecuadorian dark chocolate like a French winemaker produces vintage wine. This means that we exclusively produce single origin, single harvest chocolate that is aimed at expressing the unique terroir of the appellation in which it is grown. * We age our chocolate the way whisky producers age their whisky, using a variety of different barrels sourced from around the world, such as Cognac, Laphroaig Whisky, Sherry, Sauternes, Don Juio Tequila, etc. We also use different types of Ecuadorian wood and other vessels that are carefully selected for their extractable aroma compounds. To’ak is the first tree-to-bar chocolate maker that comprehensively applies this principle to chocolate. * Our roots are in rainforest conservation. To’ak was born from a rainforest conservation project that co-founder Jerry Toth started in Ecuador in 2007. Through his nonprofit foundation [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org), he helped create a forest preserve along the coastal mountain range. It was here that he began cultivating cacao trees and making chocolate by hand in a thatched bamboo house secluded in the middle of the forest. * We take our [social and environmental impact](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/social-environmental-impact) seriously, starting with paying cacao growers the highest prices in the industry through an intimate direct trade relationship. We've built a technology platform for cacao traceability, we upcycle cacao byproducts to create additional revenue streams for farmers, among other several other initiatives. * Our packaging is a work of art. Our Origin bars are packaged in responsibly-sourced handcrafted hardwood boxes that are individually engraved with the bar number. The box includes hand-made tasting utensils and an illustrative booklet that tells the story behind each edition and provides a guide to dark chocolate tasting and pairing. Our Signature bars apply this same attention to artful design, but with a minimalist touch. * As members of the “purist” wing of the industry, To’ak specializes in “two-ingredient” chocolate, using only cacao and cane sugar—both of which are organic. The small addition of cane sugar is akin to a few drops of water added to a glass of whisky—it softens the inherent bitterness just enough to reveal the finer, more subtle flavor characteristics of their unique and extraordinarily rare cacao. * To’ak chocolate has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times, Wine Spectator, Fortune Magazine, The Guardian, Robb Report, Huffington Post, Vice Magazine, Süddeutsche Zeitung, TV channels such as BBC, CNBC, CNN, and FOX, and over a hundred other publications across six continents. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The Chocolate & Art Experience **Includes** * One-hour privately-guided art tour of the former residence of Oswaldo Guayasamín, Ecuador's most renowned modern artist * One-hour privately-guided To'ak chocolate tasting in Guayasamín's wine cellar (off limits to the general public) * Optional pairing of chocolate with whisky or alternative spirit plus bottled water * Access to the Capilla del Hombre art gallery (non-guided) * Special tour-only pricing on To'ak Chocolate products **Art:** Guests are welcomed to the former residence of Oswaldo Guayasamín through a private entrance, not accessible to the general public. The first half of the two-hour privately guided tour will start with a walk through the former residence of Guayasamín where a guide will share Guayasamín's passion for art and culture and explain the most significant pieces of his private art collection. Guests will visit Guayasamín's most intimate chambers including his bedroom and workshop. **Chocolate:** The second half of the tour will take place in Guayasamín's wine cellar, where he entertained notable guests and his closest friends. An intimate setting around a table. In front of each person is a tasting plate with a raw cacao bean and samples of at least four different editions of To’ak chocolate. Akin to a wine tasting, a member of To’ak’s production team guides everyone through a comprehensive tasting and pairing experience, with a focus on Ecuador’s famous Nacional cacao variety. Cacao genetics, terroir, fermentation methods, barrel-aging, and other production decisions are all explained in the context of how these variables influence the aroma and flavor profile of each expression of chocolate. Comparable to a course in Wine 101, but with the most luxurious and elaborate dark chocolate on the planet. **How to book:** Visit https://toakchocolate.com/tour to book online. **Availability:** Tuesday to Friday (except Ecuadorian national holidays) from 10am to 5pm or outside these hours by special appointment. ### Additional information about the Chocolate & Art Experience **Is booking required in advance?** Yes. It must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. **What days and times is it available?** Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm (except on national holidays) or outside of these hours by special appointment. **Is the tour private?** Yes. Only those included in your group will participate in the tour. You will also enter through a private entrance that is closed off to the general public. **Is transport included in the tour?** No. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the venue. We will provide driving directions and parking instructions should you be driving yourself. **Can our tour guide participate?** Your guide is welcome to accompany you on the experience ,or they can wait for you at the venue. If the guide wishes to participate in the chocolate tasting, he or she will be charged as an additional adult. **What languages can the tour be offered in?** We can offer the tour in English or Spanish. The chocolate tasting can be delivered in German with advance notice and confirmation. **Should we bring anything with us?** The wine cellar where we do the chocolate tasting experience can get a little cold so we strongly recommend bringing a light jacket with you. **Is the chocolate and/or the art available for purchase during the event?** Yes. Guests are welcome to purchase To’ak chocolate products at special tour only price. Art can also be purchased from the gallery store. **Where is the entrance to the tour?** Guests should enter the tour via the private entrance to the Fundación Guayasamín. When arriving you will pass the general public ticket box on your right hand side and continue upp the hill. As the road turns to the right look out for a set of large wooden doors. Your taxi or transport should enter and may wait for you in an allocated parking spot. Should the gate not be attending kindly contact either the Fundación Guayasamín (02) 244-6455 or To'ak Chocolate (02) 322-7520. ![Entrance to Tour.jpg](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/eQ4ZZgQ44N/Entrance%20to%20Tour.jpg) **What instructions should I give to my taxi/Uber driver?** Ask your driver to take you to the Capilla del Hombre or Fundación Guayasamín (E18-94 y Barrio, Mariano Calvache, Quito 170122). When you arrive at the ticket box ask your driver to continue a little further up the hill and to the right. ## A Private Tasting? We are available to offer you a private tasting in your hotel, function center or at your home. A guided dark chocolate tasting is a sensory exploration of terroir, varietal, origin, and craftsmanship on the same level of sophistication associated with wine and whisky tasting. As an additional option, pairing dark chocolate with certain wines and spirits offers yet another level of pleasure and complexity to the experience. How does this look in practice? An intimate setting around a table. In front of each person is a tasting plate with a raw cacao bean and samples of at least five different editions of To’ak chocolate. Each person is also served a flight of dessert wine and spirits, if this option is selected. Akin to a wine tasting, a member of To’ak’s production team guides everyone through a comprehensive tasting and pairing experience, with a focus on Ecuador’s famous Nacional cacao variety. Cacao genetics, terroir, fermentation methods, barrel-aging, and other production decisions are all explained in the context of how these variables influence the aroma and flavor profile of each expression of chocolate. Comparable to a course in Wine 101, but with the most luxurious and elaborate dark chocolate on the planet. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The Chocolate & Art Experience **Includes** * One-hour privately-guided art tour of the former residence of Oswaldo Guayasamín, Ecuador's most renowned modern artist * One-hour privately-guided To'ak chocolate tasting in Guayasamín's wine cellar (off limits to the general public) * Optional pairing of chocolate with whisky or alternative spirit plus bottled water * Access to the Capilla del Hombre art gallery (non-guided) * Special tour-only pricing on To'ak Chocolate products **Art:** Guests are welcomed to the former residence of Oswaldo Guayasamín through a private entrance, not accessible to the general public. The first half of the two-hour privately guided tour will start with a walk through the former residence of Guayasamín where a guide will share Guayasamín's passion for art and culture and explain the most significant pieces of his private art collection. Guests will visit Guayasamín's most intimate chambers including his bedroom and workshop. **Chocolate:** The second half of the tour will take place in Guayasamín's wine cellar, where he entertained notable guests and his closest friends. An intimate setting around a table. In front of each person is a tasting plate with a raw cacao bean and samples of at least four different editions of To’ak chocolate. Akin to a wine tasting, a member of To’ak’s production team guides everyone through a comprehensive tasting and pairing experience, with a focus on Ecuador’s famous Nacional cacao variety. Cacao genetics, terroir, fermentation methods, barrel-aging, and other production decisions are all explained in the context of how these variables influence the aroma and flavor profile of each expression of chocolate. Comparable to a course in Wine 101, but with the most luxurious and elaborate dark chocolate on the planet. **How to book:** Visit https://toakchocolate.com/tour to book online. **Availability:** Tuesday to Friday (except Ecuadorian national holidays) from 10am to 5pm or outside these hours by special appointment. ### Additional information about the Chocolate & Art Experience **Is booking required in advance?** Yes. It must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. **What days and times is it available?** Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm (except on national holidays) or outside of these hours by special appointment. **Is the tour private?** Yes. Only those included in your group will participate in the tour. You will also enter through a private entrance that is closed off to the general public. **Is transport included in the tour?** No. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the venue. We will provide driving directions and parking instructions should you be driving yourself. **Can our tour guide participate?** Your guide is welcome to accompany you on the experience ,or they can wait for you at the venue. If the guide wishes to participate in the chocolate tasting, he or she will be charged as an additional adult. **What languages can the tour be offered in?** We can offer the tour in English or Spanish. The chocolate tasting can be delivered in German with advance notice and confirmation. **Should we bring anything with us?** The wine cellar where we do the chocolate tasting experience can get a little cold so we strongly recommend bringing a light jacket with you. **Is the chocolate and/or the art available for purchase during the event?** Yes. Guests are welcome to purchase To’ak chocolate products at special tour only price. Art can also be purchased from the gallery store. **Where is the entrance to the tour?** Guests should enter the tour via the private entrance to the Fundación Guayasamín. When arriving you will pass the general public ticket box on your right hand side and continue upp the hill. As the road turns to the right look out for a set of large wooden doors. Your taxi or transport should enter and may wait for you in an allocated parking spot. Should the gate not be attending kindly contact either the Fundación Guayasamín (02) 244-6455 or To'ak Chocolate (02) 322-7520. ![Entrance to Tour.jpg](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/eQ4ZZgQ44N/Entrance%20to%20Tour.jpg) **What instructions should I give to my taxi/Uber driver?** Ask your driver to take you to the Capilla del Hombre or Fundación Guayasamín (E18-94 y Barrio, Mariano Calvache, Quito 170122). When you arrive at the ticket box ask your driver to continue a little further up the hill and to the right. ## A Private Tasting? We are available to offer you a private tasting in your hotel, function center or at your home. A guided dark chocolate tasting is a sensory exploration of terroir, varietal, origin, and craftsmanship on the same level of sophistication associated with wine and whisky tasting. As an additional option, pairing dark chocolate with certain wines and spirits offers yet another level of pleasure and complexity to the experience. How does this look in practice? An intimate setting around a table. In front of each person is a tasting plate with a raw cacao bean and samples of at least five different editions of To’ak chocolate. Each person is also served a flight of dessert wine and spirits, if this option is selected. Akin to a wine tasting, a member of To’ak’s production team guides everyone through a comprehensive tasting and pairing experience, with a focus on Ecuador’s famous Nacional cacao variety. Cacao genetics, terroir, fermentation methods, barrel-aging, and other production decisions are all explained in the context of how these variables influence the aroma and flavor profile of each expression of chocolate. Comparable to a course in Wine 101, but with the most luxurious and elaborate dark chocolate on the planet. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Beautiful cacao inspired wrapping paper Yes! We offer gift wrapping and we can also include a message on a hand written card. You will find the option as a check-box on the product page. You can also leave a note in the special instructions field in your shopping cart. ![Gift Wrapping Check Box.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/FJpbbaVei3/Gift%20Wrapping%20Check%20Box.png) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Beautiful cacao inspired wrapping paper Yes! We offer gift wrapping and we can also include a message on a hand written card. You will find the option as a check-box on the product page. You can also leave a note in the special instructions field in your shopping cart. ![Gift Wrapping Check Box.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/FJpbbaVei3/Gift%20Wrapping%20Check%20Box.png) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## What to avoid Definitely do not store dark chocolate in a freezer. And a refrigerator should only be used as a last resort—for example, if you live in a hot place and don’t have air conditioning. ## Options for hot climate If you live in a hot place and don’t have air conditioning, you can store your chocolate in a refrigerator or a wine cooler; in this case, we advise you to first put the package of chocolate inside a ziplock bag, to protect it from moisture. ## General advice If you live in a home where the indoor temperature doesn’t exceed 24° C (75° F), the best thing to do is simply store your chocolate at room temperature, in a dry place that is protected from sunlight and other strong odors. For example, in a cupboard. Dark chocolate likes to be stored within the temperature range of 12-22° C (53-72° F), and temperatures as high as 25° C (77° F) are usually fine. The official melting point of dark chocolate is around 30° C (86° F). We have also had success storing our bars in a wine cooler that has an option to reduce humidity/moisture. Generally speaking, most solutions that are suitable for storage of a fine wine will also be suitable for fine chocolate. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## What to avoid Definitely do not store dark chocolate in a freezer. And a refrigerator should only be used as a last resort—for example, if you live in a hot place and don’t have air conditioning. ## Options for hot climate If you live in a hot place and don’t have air conditioning, you can store your chocolate in a refrigerator or a wine cooler; in this case, we advise you to first put the package of chocolate inside a ziplock bag, to protect it from moisture. ## General advice If you live in a home where the indoor temperature doesn’t exceed 24° C (75° F), the best thing to do is simply store your chocolate at room temperature, in a dry place that is protected from sunlight and other strong odors. For example, in a cupboard. Dark chocolate likes to be stored within the temperature range of 12-22° C (53-72° F), and temperatures as high as 25° C (77° F) are usually fine. The official melting point of dark chocolate is around 30° C (86° F). We have also had success storing our bars in a wine cooler that has an option to reduce humidity/moisture. Generally speaking, most solutions that are suitable for storage of a fine wine will also be suitable for fine chocolate. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Art Series * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * Limited edition numbered artistic print * Certificate of authenticity * Full color mini book covering cacao, chocolate & art * Copper tasting plate * Bamboo tasting utensil * Handcrafted hardwood box, individually engraved with individual bar number and edition * Artistic presentation box. [Art Series Product page](https://toakchocolate.com/products/art-series-duality-blend) ## Origin Bars * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * Full color book covering cacao and chocolate * Full color mini booklet with specific notes about the edition * Bamboo tasting utensil * Handcrafted hardwood box, individually engraved with individual bar number and edition * Artistic presentation box. [Origin Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/origin) ## Signature Bars * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * 6 page mini booklet with tasting notes, tasting & pairing guide, and tasting notes exercise sheet * Minimalistic presentation box. [Signature Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/signature) ## Mini Bar Selections * 9 or 18 **individually wrapped** 3—4g mini bar of single origin dark chocolate * 6 page mini booklet with tasting notes, tasting & pairing guide, and tasting notes exercise sheet * Minimalistic presentation box. [Mini Bar Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/signature) ## T.cacao * 200g — 250g (depending on edition) of single origin cacao or drinking chocolate powder. [T.cacao Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/t-cacao) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## Art Series * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * Limited edition numbered artistic print * Certificate of authenticity * Full color mini book covering cacao, chocolate & art * Copper tasting plate * Bamboo tasting utensil * Handcrafted hardwood box, individually engraved with individual bar number and edition * Artistic presentation box. [Art Series Product page](https://toakchocolate.com/products/art-series-duality-blend) ## Origin Bars * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * Full color book covering cacao and chocolate * Full color mini booklet with specific notes about the edition * Bamboo tasting utensil * Handcrafted hardwood box, individually engraved with individual bar number and edition * Artistic presentation box. [Origin Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/origin) ## Signature Bars * 50g (1.76 oz) bar of single origin dark chocolate * 6 page mini booklet with tasting notes, tasting & pairing guide, and tasting notes exercise sheet * Minimalistic presentation box. [Signature Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/signature) ## Mini Bar Selections * 9 or 18 **individually wrapped** 3—4g mini bar of single origin dark chocolate * 6 page mini booklet with tasting notes, tasting & pairing guide, and tasting notes exercise sheet * Minimalistic presentation box. [Mini Bar Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/signature) ## T.cacao * 200g — 250g (depending on edition) of single origin cacao or drinking chocolate powder. [T.cacao Collection page](https://toakchocolate.com/collections/t-cacao) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The short answer is that in almost all cases our chocolate only contains two ingredients The complete and accurate ingredient list of each product is available on the product page of our website and on the package of each product. The only ingredients in nearly all of our products are organic cacao beans and organic cane sugar. The exceptions to our "two ingredient" bars are: * [El Niño Harvest 2016 100%](https://toakchocolate.com/products/el-nino-100-signature) Cacao contains only one ingredient (organic cacao) * [T.cacao Everyday 100% Cacao Powder](https://toakchocolate.com/products/single-origin-100-organic-cacao-powder) contains only one ingredient (organic cacao) * [Galapagos Harvest 2018](https://toakchocolate.com/products/galapagos-harvest-2018-signature) contains three ingredients (cacao, cane sugar, and cacao butter — pressed from the same beans) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The short answer is that in almost all cases our chocolate only contains two ingredients The complete and accurate ingredient list of each product is available on the product page of our website and on the package of each product. The only ingredients in nearly all of our products are organic cacao beans and organic cane sugar. The exceptions to our "two ingredient" bars are: * [El Niño Harvest 2016 100%](https://toakchocolate.com/products/el-nino-100-signature) Cacao contains only one ingredient (organic cacao) * [T.cacao Everyday 100% Cacao Powder](https://toakchocolate.com/products/single-origin-100-organic-cacao-powder) contains only one ingredient (organic cacao) * [Galapagos Harvest 2018](https://toakchocolate.com/products/galapagos-harvest-2018-signature) contains three ingredients (cacao, cane sugar, and cacao butter — pressed from the same beans) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The short answer is no, but ... We do not add alcohol to any of our products. Some of our Aged editions have been aged in empty casks or barrels that previously stored alcohol. In this case, aroma compounds from the cask/barrel impregnate the chocolate and impart different aromas. We have conducted laboratory testing and the lab was unable to detect any ethanol/alcohol (i.e. the reading was below their minimum threshold). Although it is unlikely, it is possible that trace amounts of alcohol could enter the chocolate. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

## The short answer is no, but ... We do not add alcohol to any of our products. Some of our Aged editions have been aged in empty casks or barrels that previously stored alcohol. In this case, aroma compounds from the cask/barrel impregnate the chocolate and impart different aromas. We have conducted laboratory testing and the lab was unable to detect any ethanol/alcohol (i.e. the reading was below their minimum threshold). Although it is unlikely, it is possible that trace amounts of alcohol could enter the chocolate. #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or you can [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**First of all please TAKE A PHOTO of the damage** We apologize if this happens. In order to resolve the issue satisfactorily we ask you to take a photo (or several photos) that clearly show the damage to the product. This will assist us in processing your complimentary shipping insurance claim ASAP. We’ve spent a great deal of time and resources trying to figure out the best possible way to protect your chocolate during shipment. Between our farmers and our production in Ecuador there are only two other steps between you and your chocolate: our warhouse and fulfilment team and the courier/postal service. It is very rare that a package arrives damaged, but on the odd occasion something unintended can occur. Rest assured we will resolve any issue of damage, loss or theft of your order. **You are entitled to complimentary insurance** If your chocolate is melted or severely discolored upon arrival due to extreme weather, you are entitled to file an insurance claim for a refund or replacement. [Click here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance) to view the process for filing an insurance claim. While it is not necessary, we do appreciate if you can advise us of any damage as this will help us to reduce the risk of it occuring again and we can also assist with a speedy resolution of your insurance claim. **If my bar is broken can I still eat it?** If the bar is broken (which can occasionally happen due to handling during shipment) but otherwise the coloration of the bar is normal, we consider the bar still in good form for tasting and enjoyment. However we understand that you have paid for your chocolate to arrive in pristine condition and should you not be satisfied with the condition in which it was received, you are entitled to file an insurance claim. To view the process for filing a claim please [click here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance). #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**First of all please TAKE A PHOTO of the damage** We apologize if this happens. In order to resolve the issue satisfactorily we ask you to take a photo (or several photos) that clearly show the damage to the product. This will assist us in processing your complimentary shipping insurance claim ASAP. We’ve spent a great deal of time and resources trying to figure out the best possible way to protect your chocolate during shipment. Between our farmers and our production in Ecuador there are only two other steps between you and your chocolate: our warhouse and fulfilment team and the courier/postal service. It is very rare that a package arrives damaged, but on the odd occasion something unintended can occur. Rest assured we will resolve any issue of damage, loss or theft of your order. **You are entitled to complimentary insurance** If your chocolate is melted or severely discolored upon arrival due to extreme weather, you are entitled to file an insurance claim for a refund or replacement. [Click here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance) to view the process for filing an insurance claim. While it is not necessary, we do appreciate if you can advise us of any damage as this will help us to reduce the risk of it occuring again and we can also assist with a speedy resolution of your insurance claim. **If my bar is broken can I still eat it?** If the bar is broken (which can occasionally happen due to handling during shipment) but otherwise the coloration of the bar is normal, we consider the bar still in good form for tasting and enjoyment. However we understand that you have paid for your chocolate to arrive in pristine condition and should you not be satisfied with the condition in which it was received, you are entitled to file an insurance claim. To view the process for filing a claim please [click here](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/do-you-offer-shipping-insurance). #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**Payment of duties** As part of our worldwide shipping policy we agree to cover your import duties. In 99% of cases this is taken care of at our end and there is nothing you are required to do. In rare occasions it's possible the courier may ask you to pay duties to receive the package. If this happens please get in touch and we will either pay on your behalf or refund the payment you were required to make to receive the delivery. **Phone (USA)**: +1 (862) 505-2811 **Phone (Ecuador)**: +593 23227520 **SMS/WhatsApp**: +1 (805) 600-8625 **Email**: hello@toakchocolate.com

**Payment of duties** As part of our worldwide shipping policy we agree to cover your import duties. In 99% of cases this is taken care of at our end and there is nothing you are required to do. In rare occasions it's possible the courier may ask you to pay duties to receive the package. If this happens please get in touch and we will either pay on your behalf or refund the payment you were required to make to receive the delivery. **Phone (USA)**: +1 (862) 505-2811 **Phone (Ecuador)**: +593 23227520 **SMS/WhatsApp**: +1 (805) 600-8625 **Email**: hello@toakchocolate.com

To'ak Chocolate offers complimentary worldwide shipping insurance on all orders via a partnership with Route+ (underwritten by Lloyds of London), which covers loss, theft or damage of your chocolate order. ### What does my insurance cover? Route+ is premium package protection for your online orders. We add Route+ at checkout, which ensures you can easily file claims for lost, stolen or damaged packages in the unfortunate case that they arise. When you file a claim, it will be reviewed for approval for a reorder or refund within 24 hours. ### What if my order is marked "Delivered" but it is stolen? And when can I file a claim? Route considers packages marked "delivered" (and not received) as stolen. Route asks that you **wait 5 days from the day the package was marked delivered**; it is common for packages to be scanned as delivered and not show up for a few days. **Stolen claims must be filed within 15 days from the date it was marked delivered**. ### What if my order is lost? And when can I file a claim? An item is considered lost if it never is reported as Delivered. This can also include if your order has been stuck in any shipping state OTHER than "Delivered" You may file a claim if enough time has been allowed for delivery to take place and it's well past the expected delivery date, or if your order is stuck in a shipping state other than "Delivered" **Claims are considered "lost" after 7 days without a tracking status update (20 for international) and must be filed no later than 30 days from the last update**. ### What if my order arrives damaged? And when can I file a claim? If your item arrives damaged, unusable, or otherwise in an unacceptable condition, we invite you to file a claim right away. Please remember to include pictures of the item(s) and packaging. **Claims for damaged item(s) can be filed right away. Damaged claims must be filed within 15 days from the date it was marked delivered**. Please note it is important (in the case of damaged products) that you **take a photo/s of the damage** as it is very difficult for us to assist in resolving a damage claim without a photo. ### How do I file a claim? When you make your purchase you will get an email with your **Route Order ID** and a link to file a claim. To go straight to the claim form, [click here](https://claims.route.com/). **To file a claim from your email, follow the steps below: ** 1. Open your email from Route. 2. In the email, copy your Route Order ID and then click **FILE A CLAIM**. ![Route File a Claim.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/NuPYcAMgop/Route%20File%20a%20Claim.png) 3. In the claim form, fill out the required information–email address, subject line, and claim type. 4. Once you choose a claim type (lost, stolen, or damaged), paste or type the Route Order ID into the required field. 5. Fill out the rest of the fields and click Submit. > Note: Please accurately fill out all of the required fields so Route can help you as quickly as possible! **If you would like the To'ak Chocolate team to file a claim on your behalf please contact us with your order number and an explanation of the claim.** #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

To'ak Chocolate offers complimentary worldwide shipping insurance on all orders via a partnership with Route+ (underwritten by Lloyds of London), which covers loss, theft or damage of your chocolate order. ### What does my insurance cover? Route+ is premium package protection for your online orders. We add Route+ at checkout, which ensures you can easily file claims for lost, stolen or damaged packages in the unfortunate case that they arise. When you file a claim, it will be reviewed for approval for a reorder or refund within 24 hours. ### What if my order is marked "Delivered" but it is stolen? And when can I file a claim? Route considers packages marked "delivered" (and not received) as stolen. Route asks that you **wait 5 days from the day the package was marked delivered**; it is common for packages to be scanned as delivered and not show up for a few days. **Stolen claims must be filed within 15 days from the date it was marked delivered**. ### What if my order is lost? And when can I file a claim? An item is considered lost if it never is reported as Delivered. This can also include if your order has been stuck in any shipping state OTHER than "Delivered" You may file a claim if enough time has been allowed for delivery to take place and it's well past the expected delivery date, or if your order is stuck in a shipping state other than "Delivered" **Claims are considered "lost" after 7 days without a tracking status update (20 for international) and must be filed no later than 30 days from the last update**. ### What if my order arrives damaged? And when can I file a claim? If your item arrives damaged, unusable, or otherwise in an unacceptable condition, we invite you to file a claim right away. Please remember to include pictures of the item(s) and packaging. **Claims for damaged item(s) can be filed right away. Damaged claims must be filed within 15 days from the date it was marked delivered**. Please note it is important (in the case of damaged products) that you **take a photo/s of the damage** as it is very difficult for us to assist in resolving a damage claim without a photo. ### How do I file a claim? When you make your purchase you will get an email with your **Route Order ID** and a link to file a claim. To go straight to the claim form, [click here](https://claims.route.com/). **To file a claim from your email, follow the steps below: ** 1. Open your email from Route. 2. In the email, copy your Route Order ID and then click **FILE A CLAIM**. ![Route File a Claim.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/aDIvXXFAzR/resources/NuPYcAMgop/Route%20File%20a%20Claim.png) 3. In the claim form, fill out the required information–email address, subject line, and claim type. 4. Once you choose a claim type (lost, stolen, or damaged), paste or type the Route Order ID into the required field. 5. Fill out the rest of the fields and click Submit. > Note: Please accurately fill out all of the required fields so Route can help you as quickly as possible! **If you would like the To'ak Chocolate team to file a claim on your behalf please contact us with your order number and an explanation of the claim.** #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

**I received a delivery notification but I can't locate my package** Occasionally courier services will inadvertently mark an order as delivered. Before we classify your package as lost or stolen we ask you to assist us with a few simple steps. Please: 1. Confirm that your delivery address is correct on your order confirmation email. 2. Check any locations that your package may have been left (e.g. mailbox, front desk, side door). 3. Wait 24 hours and then contact To'ak for further support (sometimes the courier provider accidentally marks a package as delivered but it will arrive later OR it was delivered to the wrong address and will be correctly delivered shortly). You may also wish to contact your Post Office or the courier company to check if they are holding the package for you. Keep in mind that if your package is ultimately lost, stolen or damaged we offer complimentary insurance. **I followed the above steps and it's been more than 24 hours since I received the notification and I still don't have my package** If this is the case we kindly ask you to reach out to us by one of the following channels: **Phone (USA)**: +1 (862) 505-2811 **Phone (Ecuador)**: +593 23227520 **SMS/WhatsApp**: +1 (805) 600-8625 **Email**: hello@toakchocolate.com

**I received a delivery notification but I can't locate my package** Occasionally courier services will inadvertently mark an order as delivered. Before we classify your package as lost or stolen we ask you to assist us with a few simple steps. Please: 1. Confirm that your delivery address is correct on your order confirmation email. 2. Check any locations that your package may have been left (e.g. mailbox, front desk, side door). 3. Wait 24 hours and then contact To'ak for further support (sometimes the courier provider accidentally marks a package as delivered but it will arrive later OR it was delivered to the wrong address and will be correctly delivered shortly). You may also wish to contact your Post Office or the courier company to check if they are holding the package for you. Keep in mind that if your package is ultimately lost, stolen or damaged we offer complimentary insurance. **I followed the above steps and it's been more than 24 hours since I received the notification and I still don't have my package** If this is the case we kindly ask you to reach out to us by one of the following channels: **Phone (USA)**: +1 (862) 505-2811 **Phone (Ecuador)**: +593 23227520 **SMS/WhatsApp**: +1 (805) 600-8625 **Email**: hello@toakchocolate.com

To’ak’s co-founder Jerry Toth started cultivating cacao in Ecuador back in 2008, as part of a rainforest conservation project with [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org). He eventually started making chocolate with cacao harvested from the trees he planted in the Jama-Coaque Reserve (JCR), in a house without electricity in the middle of the woods. After honing his skills for several years, he linked up with Carl Schweizer and Dennise Valencia to create To’ak Chocolate. > Jerry has continued cultivating cacao ever since then–it’s a passion that continues through the present day. To’ak sources its cacao from the nearby valley of Piedra de Plata, which has old-growth cacao trees that have been DNA-verified to be 100% pure “Ancient Nacional” cacao. These trees are significantly older than the trees Jerry manages in JCR. For this reason, most of To’ak’s cacao is sourced from Piedra de Plata, although we’re hopeful to produce chocolate sourced from JCR in the coming years, as more of the trees reach productive age. Dennise, Carl, James, and Jerry join the cacao growers of Piedra de Plata on harvest days to help harvest and process the cacao. We then take this cacao to our post-harvest facility in the nearby farm owned and managed by Servio Pachard, where we ferment and dry the cacao. After these steps are completed, we bring the cacao to our Production House in Quito to hand-sort the beans and begin the process of making chocolate. To’ak is a tree-to-bar chocolate company proudly based in Ecuador–the native origin of cacao. > Read about [our social and environmental commitments](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/social-environmental-impact) (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). **Further Reading** [The Main Steps in the Production of To'ak Chocolate](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/what-are-the-main-steps-in-the-production-of-your-chocolate) [Timeline for To'ak Chocolate and Third Millennium Alliance's Conservation Project](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/timeline-the-project-to-preserve-ancient-nacional-cacao) [The Different Grades of Ecuadorian Cacao](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/the-different-grades-of-ecuadorian-cacao) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

To’ak’s co-founder Jerry Toth started cultivating cacao in Ecuador back in 2008, as part of a rainforest conservation project with [Third Millennium Alliance](http://www.tmalliance.org). He eventually started making chocolate with cacao harvested from the trees he planted in the Jama-Coaque Reserve (JCR), in a house without electricity in the middle of the woods. After honing his skills for several years, he linked up with Carl Schweizer and Dennise Valencia to create To’ak Chocolate. > Jerry has continued cultivating cacao ever since then–it’s a passion that continues through the present day. To’ak sources its cacao from the nearby valley of Piedra de Plata, which has old-growth cacao trees that have been DNA-verified to be 100% pure “Ancient Nacional” cacao. These trees are significantly older than the trees Jerry manages in JCR. For this reason, most of To’ak’s cacao is sourced from Piedra de Plata, although we’re hopeful to produce chocolate sourced from JCR in the coming years, as more of the trees reach productive age. Dennise, Carl, James, and Jerry join the cacao growers of Piedra de Plata on harvest days to help harvest and process the cacao. We then take this cacao to our post-harvest facility in the nearby farm owned and managed by Servio Pachard, where we ferment and dry the cacao. After these steps are completed, we bring the cacao to our Production House in Quito to hand-sort the beans and begin the process of making chocolate. To’ak is a tree-to-bar chocolate company proudly based in Ecuador–the native origin of cacao. > Read about [our social and environmental commitments](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/social-environmental-impact) (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). **Further Reading** [The Main Steps in the Production of To'ak Chocolate](https://library.toakchocolate.com/faqs/what-are-the-main-steps-in-the-production-of-your-chocolate) [Timeline for To'ak Chocolate and Third Millennium Alliance's Conservation Project](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/timeline-the-project-to-preserve-ancient-nacional-cacao) [The Different Grades of Ecuadorian Cacao](https://toakchocolate.com/blogs/news/the-different-grades-of-ecuadorian-cacao) #### More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or [contact us](https://toakchocolate.com/pages/contact) via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

To'ak Chocolate Team

What are your shipping rates & shipping policy?

We offer free shipping to the USA for orders of USD $50 and to most other countries for orders of USD $100. Our shipping services include overnight express (USA only), 2-day express (USA only), express worldwide courier (international) and regular USPS service (USA only). Read on for full rates and conditions.

policy shipping shipping policy

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I prefer milk chocolate or lighter chocolate. What do you recommend for me?

In terms of chocolate bars, our lowest percentage bar is 73% cacao (from our 2015 harvest). It was made with the intention to be a very gentle dark chocolate. Our 2017 harvest also has a relatively low cacao percentage of 76%. You should also take a look at our cacao powder and drinking chocolate, which you can add milk or additional sweeteners to, if you so desire.

ingredients

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Why is To'ak Chocolate expensive and what makes it unique?

We purchase cacao directly from the cacao growers we work with in Piedra de Plata, and we pay the highest price per pound of freshly-harvested cacao in the country. As far as we know, we also pay the highest price per pound in the entire world. This is just part of our commitment to elevating dark chocolate onto the levels of the finest wines and in doing so having a positive impact on the environment and cacao farming communities in Ecuador.

cacao tree to bar

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Do you offer tastings or tours in Ecuador?

Yes! We have a Chocolate & Art Experience which is a 2-hour privately-guided tour in Quito. We can also arrange private tastings in Ecuador or abroad depending on your timeframe and budget.

tasting tour

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Do you offer gift wrapping?

Yes! We offer gift wrapping and we can also include a message on a hand written card. You will find the option as a check-box on the product page. You can also leave a note in the special instructions field in your shopping cart.

gift wrapping

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Does your chocolate have an expiration date?

Officially, the shelf life of dark chocolate is two years. Unofficially, it should last much longer than that - there are documented reports of dark chocolate still being edible after 100 years of storage. As part of our own experiment, we have chocolate bars that have been stored in our office for up to six years, and they are still in excellent condition. But we don’t recommend trying that at home. Why wait?

expiration storage

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How should I store my chocolate?

Dark chocolate likes to be stored within the temperature range of 12-22° C (53-72° F). Temperatures as high as 25° C (77° F) are usually fine. The official melting point of dark chocolate is around 30° C (86° F).

expiration storage

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What is included with each product?

Click through to see a list of contents for each product range.

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What ingredients are in your chocolate?

The complete and accurate ingredient list of each product is available on the product page of our website and on the package of each product. The only ingredients in nearly all of our products are organic cacao beans and organic cane sugar. In the case of our Everyday Organic Cacao Powder, the one and only ingredient is organic cacao.

ingredients

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Does your chocolate contain alcohol?

We do not add alcohol to any of our products. Some of our Aged editions have been aged in empty casks or barrels that previously stored alcohol.

alcohol ingredients

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My chocolate/package arrived damaged, what should I do next?

First of all, we apologize if this happens. We're trying hard to shorten the supply chain from the cacao tree to you, but from time to time something unintended can occur. The good news is that every order includes complimentary worldwide shipping insurance, which covers you for damage, theft or loss. Click to view full details of how to file a claim.

damaged insurance

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The courier company has asked me to pay import duties what should I do or how do I receive a refund?

To'ak pays all import duties but occasionally we are aware of cases where the client has been asked to pay for the duties. If this happens please get in touch and we will either pay on your behalf or refund the payment you were required to make to receive the delivery.

duties taxes

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Do you offer shipping insurance? And how do I make a claim?

To'ak Chocolate offers complimentary worldwide shipping insurance on all orders via a partnership with Route+ (underwritten by Lloyds of London), which covers loss, theft or damage of your chocolate order. Read on below for full details on coverage and claims process.

damaged insurance shipping

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I received a notification that my order was delivered but I cannot locate it

Occasionally courier services will inadvertently mark an order as delivered. Before we classify your package as lost or stolen we ask you to assist us with a few simple steps. Keep in mind that if your package is ultimately lost, stolen or damaged we offer complimentary insurance.

delivery

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Does To'ak farm and harvest cacao?

cacao tree to bar

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