I love chocolate. Chocolate is almost universal. No matter what age you are, where you come from or what you do for a living, the chances are, you’re partial to a bit of chocolate now and then. Some of us are a little too fond of chocolate than we’d like to admit!
If you follow my blog regularly, you’ll know I’m a big chocolate fan. Last year, I flew to Hamburg to visit Chocoversum; a fully-functioning chocolate museum owned by German chocolatier, Hachez, manufacturing the kind of super smooth, silky chocolate made famous by the likes of Lindt. I’m not ashamed to say that I love chocolate so much I’ve actually travelled for it; in fact, I’d do it all over again if I could!
I first heard about Grenada Chocolate Festival last year, and I loved hearing more about it from Pure Grenada at the 2017 British Guild of Travel Writers Gala Dinner at The Savoy, London. Here’s a snap of our table. Don’t we all look glamorous? I definitely pulled the short straw for the most flattering camera angle.
What excites me so much about Grenada Chocolate Festival is that, not only does it involve eating copious amounts of chocolate for a whole nine days(!), but it takes place in the idyllic Island of Spice in the Caribbean.
Grenadian chocolate
Home to all three varieties of cocoa bean and the birthplace of ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate, Grenada is the ideal destination for a chocolate festival. I was lucky enough to taste some Grenadian chocolate for myself, when Pure Grenada kindly gave me some 75% organic chocolate from Crayfish Bay Organics, and some 60% Jouvay Grenada Cocoa Farmers’ chocolate. Although Grenadian chocolate isn’t quite as smooth as chocolate as we know it, it has a delicious tangy, fruity taste; I’m sure I could detect a hint of orange, and perhaps even plum tones. The nutmeg in the Jouvay Chocolate was fairly subtle, while I could easily detect that the Crayfish Bay Organics chocolate was made using charcoal-roasted beans.
Grenada Chocolate Festival: what to expect
Now in its fifth year, Grenada Chocolate Festival champion’s the island’s organic and ethically produced cocoa and chocolate. Journey through cocoa farms and cocoa forests as you discover how Grenada’s ethical ‘tree to bar’ chocolate is made.
This year, Grenada Chocolate Festival is taking place from 11th – 19th May 2018 and judging by the schedule, it’s set to be an unmissable experience for committed chocoholics like myself.
Highlights of the 2018 preliminary programme include a decadent chocolate breakfast, an opportunity to be a cocoa farmer for the day, permaculture cocoa farming, chocolate tasting, a tree-to-bar tour and lunch at Belmont Estate, chocolate-making lessons at Crayfish Bay Organic Estate and Street Food Wednesday, when you can sample authentic Grenadian food from local vendors.
To relax and unwind, take part in some chocolate yoga or pamper yourself in a cocoa spa workshop. Click here to view the full schedule, and for details of discounts available through True Blue Bay Boutique Resort and Mount Cinnamon Hotel.
How much does it cost to attend Grenada Chocolate Festival?
A ‘Cocoa Pass’ allowing access to all events costs US$350 (around £255), excluding food. Currently, it costs from £483 to fly from London Gatwick to St. George’s from 9th – 21st May 2018.
If you’re thinking of attending, visit the Grenada Chocolate Festival website for further information.
Oh wow! To be honest, I would just love to visit Grenada, let alone for the chocolate festival. All those colours and gorgeous scenery. The charcoal roasted beans sound very interesting indeed, I wonder what kind o flavour that brings out.
I’d love to go to Grenada in general too. The Caribbean is my happy place 😀
That looks soo cool.The coco farmer for a day is what would appeal to me. Actually see where my chokky comes from:)
I’d love that experience, too!
Do you know I never knew Granada had a chocolate festival before I read this post. I love the sound of this. I would be really interested in the tree to bar tour, it sounds fascinating!
I was so interested to hear about it last year. I love chocolate and I really enjoy visiting chocolate-based attractions on my travels. Chocoversum in Hamburg was great, but I think Grenada Chocolate Festival would be even more amazing!
This sounds like my ideal festival, combining a lovely faraway exotic location with chocolate, what isn’t there to love?! x
I know what you mean – it sounds like my idea of paradise!
Omg it sounds beautiful, definitely something to put on the bucket list.
For sure 🙂 I’d be so happy if I got to go!
Grenada hasn’t been on my travel list before but this looks so cool, it has now been added!
I love the look of Grenada in general, but it would be even nicer to go when the chocolate festival is on!
Oh wow a chocolate festival and in the Caribbean sounds like heaven! The charcoal roasted chocolate sounds really interesting, I would love to try that.
It’s quite bitter but enjoyable – miles apart from chocolate as we know it!
This is an amazing experience. Going to a coco farm and actually seeing how the chocolate is made an experience not to be missed.
John M
I wish I could go, have you been to a cocoa farm before John?
This sounds like my perfect festival, haha! I love that it lasts for 9 whole days too!
Me too, I’ve since I’ve heard about it I’ve been dying to go!
This looks like a delightful experience and anything with chocolate is right up my alley.
Me too – chocolate is definitely my favourite sweet treat!
I know how you feel 🙂 it would be so good to be there. So much delicious chocolate to get through!
I never knew Grenada had a chocolate festival before I read this! I think I’d be in my element – I love to treat myself to a bit of chocolate 😉
Me too, I love the Caribbean and I’ve always wanted to visit Grenada – what better time to visit than when the chocolate festival is on?!
That sounds fabulous. And how interesting to get hands on at a farm. And in such a beautiful setting. I need to get me to Grenada this May!
Glad you liked my post! I can’t wait to see experience Grenada Chocolate Festival myself in May.
Who doesn’t love chocolate? I would love to attend this festival and eat chocolate for 9 days in a row! I’d probably come back with a few extra kilos, but I guess it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity 🙂
Chocolate and the Caribbean are two of my favourite things, so to experience the two together must be amazing. Roll on May!
Nine days of chocolate?! How could you ever go back to normal food after that? 🙂 I love how many hands-on opportunities there are at this festival, too. I love seeing how things are made and getting to participate!
I know, right?! I hope the chocolate doesn’t melt, as it must get quite hot in Grenada. I can’t wait to experience it for myself.