Cacao production is seeing a strong comeback with new seed strains, growing and harvesting techniques. While the production remains on a small scale and 'boutique', the quality and varying blends are being strongly embraced both locally and nationally.
Marcus Wettstein, of Swiss origin, moved to Playa Chiquita over 20 years ago with his wife Claudia. There they raised a family of 3 children, now all grown up. He is also a pioneer by salvaging an abandoned cacao farm overtaken over by the monilla virus and resurrecting it into a thriving plantation with healthy fruit. Today visitors visit and learn about cacoa production from seed to chocolate bar - as it was done in the old days - and continues to be done today.
