What is terroir-driven chocolate & why do you release different harvest years?
To’ak’s Harvest editions offer connoisseurs of dark chocolate this same opportunity—to taste not only the land, but also the characteristics of the particular year in which it was harvested.
How much do you pay your farmers?
We pay a farmgate price that is 3-8x the standard market price for “wet cacao" — well above the fair trade premium.
What are your social and environmental commitments?
We're doing our best to contribute to positive change in the world of chocolate. This is a summary of our efforts. We discuss how we are paying the highest prices to farmers in the industry, going beyond certifications, building a technology platform for traceability of cacao, up-cycling byproducts, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao.
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.
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.
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.
Do you have a refund/returns or satisfaction guarantee policy?
Yes! We are confident you’ll love our chocolate as much as we do. If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied, get in touch with us within 30 days of your purchase and if we can't resolve your concern with a replacement or our complimentary insurance then we’ll issue a full refund.
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 is the cut-off time for same day shipping?
For orders to the USA or Canada, 8am Mountain Time. For orders to all other countries, 9am Ecuador time. We ship Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in USA or Ecuador.
What is the difference between Harvest editions and Aged editions?
Our Harvest editions are harvested from a specific appellation during a specific year (similar to wine), with the objective to highlight the unique flavor and aroma characteristics that are created by the soil and climate conditions of that particular harvest (i.e., “terroir”). Our Aged editions are Harvest editions that have been aged in some kind of aromatic vessel (eg, casks that formerly stored wine or spirits, or Ecuadorian wood vessels) or have been aged in the same container as some other aromatic material (eg, Kampot pepper or Palo Santo wood).
