We are MaGui and Benito, we come from Quebec (Canada) and in September 2019, we acquired a land in Nicaragua where we will, we hope, erect a cocoa plantation.
He works in new technologies, she is in the field of advertising and together, they improvise themselves farmers at more than 5000 kilometers from their apartment in Montreal.
How do they perceive themselves?
So what’s the point?
Okay. Our original intention was far from what we are currently doing here. In fact at the beginning, we were looking for a small lot on the beach and, like any other good average gringo, we hoped to sell smoothies or offer tours down south.
Something simple.
But life has taken us elsewhere. As it often does 🙂
And so?
Over the course of our adventures, we ended up buying a lot of 2.5 manzanas (just over 4 acres) to build a cocoa plantation. But not just any cocoa! We chose to bet on quality rather than quantity, and as we are a little deranged, on the rarest variety in the world: criollo.
Criollo cocoa accounts for about 2% of world production. It is a fine cocoa, difficult to grow, fragile and capricious. We know that the challenge is far from over… But we are good players and ready for the next rounds.
It is in Nandaime that the Menier chocolates have chosen to settle almost two centuries ago, we have confidence in the flair of these famous chocolatiers!
What else?
The project also aims to publicize our new village, Nandaime, which definitely wins to be known in Nicaragua. It is a small, humble village, but oh so authentic and picturesque. Here on a daily basis, 4X4 vehicles, luxury cars, ox carts, horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, motorcycles, motocross, pedestrians and tuk-tuks go hand in hand.
Without traffic lights. Without stop signs or any other signage.
In fact most of the streets are dirt, and during the rainy season, no one has any guarantee that he will be able to return home after a heavy downpour.
Us inclusively.
In Nandaime, one lives sometimes as in another century.
And this is very well so.
And what will you be offering?
It is in the heart of the village, at the small central cafe, that we will welcome our visitors to bring them on the plantation on a carriage pulled by two horses. A ride of 4 kilometers in the small barillos nearby, in order to really feel the get away!
Once on the plantation: a visit, a tasting of chocolates and liqueurs (with or without alcohol) and a Bean to Bar chocolate workshop where we will teach the traditional way of making chocolate.
Back in Nandaime, our visitors will have the choice to go back to more touristic destinations or stay among us to swim in nature in our lagoons, climb the Mombacho volcano, visit the Domitila reserve, see a roosters fight, stroll in the park, meet extraordinary people, eat in one of our restaurants (pizza, chicken, typical comedors, seafood, meats, restaurant-bar, etc.), sleep in one of our hotels or at local people’s homes.
Nothing seen before and lots of memorable things to discover. Guaranteed!
Nandaime is an absolutely unique experience in Nicaragua. Leaving the country without having tasted it is to miss all the authenticity of Nicaraguans.
The charm of the countryside: nothing compares to it, right?
Follow us! Our project goes a little further with each new publication!
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FRANÇAIS :: ESPAÑOL
cacaodenandaime.com
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