Touring the cacao farms of southern Belize, from bean to bar.
Adalia Pop roasts cacao beans on the family farm in southern Belize. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Nearly ripe cacao pods hang from a tree at Eladio Pop’s Agouti Cacao Farm in San Pedro Columbia, Belize. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Adalia Pop crushes roasted cacao beans. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
A metate grinding stone is used to crush the cacao nibs into a paste. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Maya Mountain Cacao works with local farmers to source high-quality beans that are then shipped to premium chocolate makers. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Cacao beans dry under the warm Belize sun. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Cotton Tree Lodge rates start at $152 a person, and that includes meals. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
Eladio Pop gives tours of his Agouti Cacao Farm in Belize. (Laura Levy Shatkin / Chicago Tribune)
