Finding Marcos

March 29, 2006

More discoveries leading to the mysteriously good chocolate in Puenta Uva. During my first visit to Puerto Viejo I had called the number on the plastic container to learn more about Chocorart. I received no positive response. A friend in town told me to talk to Marcos, a man that organized Chocorart. A lead! I called Marcos. Please call back in five minutes. Marcos will be back in five minutes. Please call back in five minutes. Marcos will return in five minutes. No Marcos.

I went into town for a lovely snack at The Bread and Chocolate, a great Chocolateria in Puerto Viejo. I had the mint brownies. They were excellent-a crisp first bite with a melt-away quality chocolate finish. And the chocolate they used! Such quality! And, eaten among the jungle plants of Puerto Viejo! I met with the owners. We talked about their store, about chocolate. Where do you get your chocolate? From, among other places…..Marcos!! They explained that he has very rigid guidelines for selling his chocolate, but I should call him. Would I like to call him? I guess so. Here, we’ll call him for you. Oh, Marcos will be back in five minutes.

A few weeks later I went back to visit Puerto Viejo, and I met up with some people I had met during my first visit to Puerto Viejo. Marcos, they explained to me, does not sell outside of Costa Rica, and therefore, yes, his chocolate is great, but he is not interested in making a conversation with me or with Taza or with any body that is not selling and manufacturing only in Costa Rica. I thought that was the end of Marcos.

A few days ago I was having dinner with some people that work in chocolate in Talamanca. We began to talk bout our interests and decided we should consider working together along with one other small organic producing cooperative in Talamanca. Sure. Their name is Chocorart and the person you should speak with is Marcos. He lives in Switzerland and owns land in Talamanca.

This is how it is looking for chocolate! More on Marcos in five minutes……