What are your shipping rates & shipping policy?

We offer free shipping to the USA for orders of USD $75 and to most other countries for orders of USD $175. 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.

Can I store my chocolate in the refrigerator or freezer?

We recommend that you NEVER store dark chocolate in a freezer.

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.

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?

What can I do if my chocolate arrived damaged (broken, discolored or melted)?

We’re sorry about this. We’ve spent a great deal of time and resources trying to figure out the best possible way to protect your chocolate during shipment, but our system is not perfect. A broken bar can still be enjoyed but we understand this can be disappointing and you are entitled to file an insurance claim should you wish.

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.

How and why do you age your chocolate?

Aged chocolate is a new phenomenon that To'ak has been pioneering since 2013. The process is grounded in the science of flavor extraction, and draws heavily from long-standing practices in both the wine and whisky traditions.

What are the main steps in the production of your chocolate?

Our production of chocolate starts with planting the cacao tree, includes the key post-harvest step of fermentation, the traditional steps of chocolate making, and finishes with packaging your bar in Ecuador. Read on to discover all 14 steps!

Other ways to enjoy cacao powder

Apparently some people in Europe have started snorting cacao powder at dance parties. The writer of this answer has tried that, twice, and decided that he vastly prefers to consume cacao the old-fashioned way–by eating or drinking it. It’s tastier that way, and less messy.

Healthy drinking cacao recipes

We offer tasty and easy cacao inspired recipes on our blog. Click to learn more.