Belize chocolate festival

The cacao bean from which is processed chocolate is found in abundance in Belize. The cacao tree (kakaw in Maya), growing in tropical rainforests throughout Central America is fairly small in size, having the particularity to require taller trees to be sheltered from the wind and the sun to give its generous cacao fruits.

Each year during the Commonwealth Holiday weekend is celebrated Belizean chocolate in Punta Gorda, Toledo District. The 2015 Chocolate Festival opening night will be featuring fine wine, chocolate degustation, Belikin's Chocolate Stout and live music performed by Caribbean Roots band.

A Toledo Street Fair will be divided into five different areas showcasing Toledo's main ethnic groups : Kriol, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo and East Indian, with each section displaying art, food and music from their culture. Test of Toledo competition on Saturday will oppose Belize's best chocolate makers such as Kakaw, Cotton Tree Chocolate and Ixcacao on two categories - sweet and savoury - judged on taste, creativity and presentation, by both a jury of professionals from the chocolate industry and the audience.

The festival finale will host on a main stage more live music and dancing performances, this time focused on Mayan culture. Chocolate products will still be available as well as typical Mayan dishes. This last day of festival will highlight Belizean handicrafts : hammocks, slate manufacturing, calabash carvings, tie-tie baskets, and much more to be discovered !

For more information about Belizean' chocolate producers visit Toledo Cacao Growers Association's website at www.tcgabelize.com