Maison du Cacao

The Maison du Cacao at Pointe Noire is a small plantation with an interpretation centre attached, covering cocoa from the tree through fermentation, drying, roasting and grinding to the finished chocolate, with the trees growing on site and the process demonstrated. Cocoa was a significant Guadeloupean crop before sugar took over, and the centre makes the case for reviving it. Visits end with tasting, including the thick local cocoa drink.

What's there

• The cocoa trees - pods growing on the plantation around the centre.
• The process - fermentation, drying, roasting and grinding shown in sequence.
• The tasting - the finished chocolate and the thick local cocoa drink.
• The crop history - cocoa's place on the island before sugar displaced it.

When to go

December to April is the driest. Visits run through the day and are self-guided with staff on hand. It closes on some days and hours vary.

Practical notes

The site is small and the visit takes an hour or so. Interpretation is largely in French. The shop is a substantial part of the experience.

Nearby

Pointe Noire is nearby, and Deshaies is north.

Key facts