FAMILY FARM
GROWING & EXPORTING
ORGANIC CACAO SINCE 1977

Palo Santo is a family business engaged in the production and export of high quality agricultural products worldwide since 1991, however, growing cacao as a family tradition goes back to 1977. We are leaders in agricultural innovation and the use of high technology for cacao production. We offer cacao in different forms: beans, pulp, pods, powder, liquor and nibs.

Read About Our Story

Hacienda Palo Santo, Ecuador | +593 4 2923300 | info@haciendapalosanto.com

Organic Cacao Beans

It all starts with the bean. We offer the industry the highest quality cacao beans and nibs.

More >>

Cacao Fruit Pulp

We are proud to introduce our 100% Cacao Fruit Pulp, a flavor the world didn’t even know existed.

More >>

Cacao Pods

Decoration for restaurants, bars and great use for chocolate classes, museums, tours, experiments, and more.

More >>

We are organic certified

Once an order comes in, the Palo Santo flow gets going 💨
✅🚀Sales gives the green light and we move:

📍 Logistics sets the plan
✂️ Harvesting begins
🌡️ Fermentation kicks off
🌞 Beans are dried to perfection
🔍 Quality is checked
📦 Carefully packed
🚛 Packed, sealed, and rolling to the port—next stop: the ships 🌊🛳️

From order to origin, every step is done with care, precision, and plenty of flavor 🍫✨

#cacaonibs #cacaomass #cacaobeans #cacaopulp #cacaoecuador #haciendasofia #haciendapalosanto #cacaolovers

Each day in cacao production is defined by the steady rhythm of skilled hands — from the harvest to the careful post-harvest work of fermenting and drying, crafting the unique essence within every bean. 🌱✅🍫💪🏻

#haciendapalosanto #ecuadoriancacao #cacaonibs #cacaomass #singlestatecacao #haciendasofia

Quality is everywhere.✅👀🍫🌱

Each batch of our cacao is carefully sorted to ensure only the finest beans move forward — because great cacao begins with great selection.

#haciendapalosanto #cacaobeans #qualityfirst #cacaoselection #ecuadorcacao #nibscacao #cacaomass

From ancient traditions to global recognition, Ecuadorian cacao tells a story of excellence.🇪🇨🍫✅🌱

Ecuadorian cacao has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, making it one of the world’s most important origins. Revered by ancient civilizations and prized globally today, its unique aroma and flavor continue to set the standard for excellence.

#cacaoecuador #cacaonibs #cacaomass #ecuadoriancacao #ecuador #haciendapalosanto

Precision in every step✅👀

Before our cacao reaches our clients, it goes through a careful selection process. Our separator machine ensures only the best beans to make the cut, delivering top-quality cacao every time. 🍫🌱

#ecuadoriancacao #haciendapalosanto #cacaonibs #cacaobeans #cacaomass

From Tree to Bean, from Bean to quality cacao🌱🍫

Every fruit at Hacienda Palo Santo is the result of biodiversity, tradition, and respect for the land.

From the shade of towering trees to the careful fermentation of each bean, we cultivate quality at every stage✅✅.

#HaciendaPaloSanto #cacaoecuatoriano #fromfarmtochocolate #cacaomass #cacaonibs #cacaopulp #cacaofruit

Quality is in the details. Each cacao batch at our drying station goes through a strict moisture check. ✅✅

Using a moisture meter, we ensure the beans reach the ideal 7%—the perfect balance for proper storage and flavor development. Precision at every step. 🌱🍫

#HaciendaPaloSanto #CacaoProcess #CacaoQuality #BeanToBar #SingleEstateCacao #SustainableFarming #CraftChocolate #CacaoHarvest #ChocolateMakers #PostHarvest #cacaoinnovation #cacaonibs #cacaofruit #cacaomass #cacaoecuatoriano #ecuadorcacao

🌊 The Heart of Hacienda Palo Santo 🌱

Water is our foundation, our lungs. At Hacienda Palo Santo, we have a 6-hectare reservoir with a depth of 3 meters, designed to store water through a drainage system within the farm. 💧

Every drop counts. Thanks to a drip irrigation system, we deliver water directly to the roots of our cacao trees, ensuring efficient use without waste. 🌱🍫

We protect water because, without it, there is no life. 💚

#HaciendaPaloSanto #SustainableCacao #WaterIsLife #cacaomass #cacaonibs #cacaofruit #ecuadoriancacao

For all of us at Hacienda Palo Santo, the fields mean everything—they are the heart of our work, the source of our passion, and the foundation of what we create.

For Esteban, it’s where ideas take root, where every detail matters, and where he feels most connected to the land. A glimpse into why he loves being out here, in the heart of it all. 🍃🍫

#HaciendaPaloSanto #CacaoFields #FromTheSource #PassionForTheLand #RootedInTradition #CraftedByNature #CacaoStory #FieldToBar #SustainableFarming #LoveForTheLand #CacaoHeritage #WhereItAllBegins #FineCacao #SingleEstate #ChocolateOrigins #PureCacao #FarmToBar #haciendasofia #cacaonibs #cacaomass #cacaopulp

🌍✨ Bringing the essence of Palo Santo to @biofach.tradefair

Join us in Nuremberg from February 11-14 as we showcase the richness of our cacao fruit pulp (available in frozen, freeze-dried, powder, and aseptic forms) and our fine cacao beans & derivatives (Mass & Nibs) from Palo Santo & Sofía single-estate farms.

📩 Contact us to schedule a meeting and explore collaboration opportunities!

📧 info@haciendapalosanto.com
📞 +593 96 877 0598
🌐 www.haciendapalosanto.com

#CacaoInnovation #OrganicCacao #FineCacao #MeetUsAtBiofach #Superfood #palosantocacao

🌞✨ Drying cacao is more than just removing moisture—it’s about refining quality and ensuring consistency.

At Palo Santo, we take this process seriously, focusing on achieving the most uniform beans possible to enhance flavor development. 🌿🍫

🔍 To maintain this precision, we constantly perform cut tests to assess internal development and tasting tests to ensure we meet our flavor standards. The beans are carefully moved throughout the drying process for even exposure, and we meticulously monitor humidity levels to reach the ideal 7% moisture content—the perfect point where the cacao is ready for bagging and export.

#PaloSantoCacao #sundryingprocess #CacaoOfOrigin #BeanToBar #CacaoExcellence #PostHarvestCacao #CacaoInnovation #SustainableFarming #CacaoLovers #DirectTradeCacao #singleorigincacao

A quiet moment in the field, enjoying cacao straight from the pod—just as nature intended.

Sweet, citrusy, and refreshing, the pulp is nothing like chocolate—but this is where it all begins. 🍫🌱

#Cacao #HaciendaPaloSanto #FromPodToBean #PureCacao #EcuadorCacao #CacaoFarm #CacaoLovers #ChocolateStartsHere #SingleEstateCacao #SustainableFarming #CacaoCulture #FarmLife #TreeToBar #EcuadorianCacao #cacaoharvest #HaciendaSofia

At Palo Santo, we offer organic single estate cacao beans —we cultivate tradition, passion, and quality.🌳✅🍫

Our farms are proudly two single estates, where every cacao bean has its own story and fully produced in our own farms. The entire process is 100% organic and “homegrown,” from tree planting to fermentation and drying in our two dedicated drying stations, ensuring a product that’s authentic and sustainable.💚

The result? Pure, traceable cacao with the excellence that only a hands-on approach can deliver.

#PaloSantoCacao #TwoSingleEstates #OrganicCacao #FarmToBar #Sustainability #FineCacao #EcuadorianCacao #BeanToBar #PremiumCacao #CacaoExcellence #CacaoOfOrigin #SustainableFarming #CacaoInnovation #ArtisanalCacao #OrganicFarming #CacaoLovers #DirectTradeCacao #CacaoCulture #SingleOriginCacao #haciendasofia

🌞✨ After fermentation, every cacao bean begins its next crucial journey: sun drying. At Palo Santo, we take pride in our dedicated drying station, where careful attention to detail makes all the difference. 🌿🍫

🔄 Constant movement of the beans ensures even drying, and every step is carefully monitored. During this stage, the tiny cracks that formed inside the beans during fermentation become more noticeable—an essential indicator that both fermentation and drying are progressing correctly.

🍫 This is how we ensure the quality and consistency of our cacao, step by step, from the farm to your hands.

#PaloSantoCacao #SunDryingProcess #OrganicCacao #CacaoOfOrigin #FarmToBar #FineCacao #SustainableFarming #BeanToBar #CacaoExcellence #ArtisanalCacao #CacaoJourney #EcuadorianCacao #PostHarvestCacao #CacaoInnovation #ArtisanalCacao #OrganicFarming #CacaoLovers #DirectTradeCacao #CacaoCulture #SingleOriginCacao #haciendasofia

At our two post-harvest stations, Hacienda Palo Santo and Hacienda Sofía, fermentation is the heart of our cacao’s transformation into a world-class product✅. Here’s 3 key things we do to ensure quality in every batch:

1️⃣ Clean Start:
During our pre-fermentation process, we follow a strict inspection protocol to keep each batch free of magueys. By removing them we ensures the elimination of unwanted flavors and odors right from the start.

2️⃣ Daily Rotation for Uniformity:
Our team carefully rotates the fermentation piles daily, ensuring beans from the top, middle, and bottom experience uniform conditions of heat, oxygen, and microbial activity. This guarantees consistent fermentation and exceptional flavor development.

3️⃣ Daily Cut Tests & Tracking:
Every day, we extract 15 beans from different zones of the fermentation pile to analyze the progress. These detailed observations are meticulously recorded in our post-harvest sheets to ensure precision in every batch.

✨ Every step we take reflects our commitment to producing cacao that delights the senses and honors the craft. 🍫

#haciendasofia #haciendapalosanto
#PremiumCacao #SustainableFarming #PostHarvestExcellence
#CacaoCraft #BeanToBar #WorldClassCacao #CacaoFarmers #singlestatecacao

Unlocking the essence of our cacao! 🍫🌱 Each pod is a proof of our dedication and passion for quality. The journey from tree to bean begins here.

#HaciendaPaloSanto #PureCacao #beantobar #CraftedWithCare #SustainableFarming #trazability #singlestatecacao #haciendasofia #ecuadorcacao

From the very beginning, the ancient trees on our farm—guayacanes, ceibos, palo santos, and cacti—have been the guardians of the landscape. At Hacienda Palo Santo, they will always be protected. The cacao plantation was developed around them, honoring their presence and the ecosystem they sustain. 🌱

#HaciendaPaloSanto #SustainableFarming #CacaoHeritage #AncientTrees #EcoFriendlyFarming #CacaoFarm #Biodiversity #TreeConservation #SustainableAgriculture #NatureGuardians #PreserveNature #CacaoJourney #singlestatecacao #cacaonibs🍫 #cacaomass #cacaopulp #cacaopulppowder

At Hacienda Palo Santo, every detail matters—here are three ways we ensure quality, sustainability, and excellence in every step of our cacao journey.

1️⃣ Traceability is key to excellence! ✅ Each lot, such as Lot 7 shown here, is carefully numbered to track its age, size, and unique history 🌱. This system ensures full transparency, allowing us to monitor tree health, plan harvests, and optimize care. Every bar of chocolate can proudly tell its story—from seed to savor 🍫✨.

2️⃣ 💧Water is life, especially for cacao trees! 🌱 Our reservoirs ensure a reliable water supply during dry seasons, support irrigation, and help recharge the soil. They also promote biodiversity, attracting birds and other wildlife 🦜🦋. Sustainable water management means healthier crops and a thriving ecosystem! 🌍✨

3️⃣ 🌱 Why are cacao trees spaced apart? 🌱
In cacao plantations, spacing is key! It ensures each tree gets enough sunlight, air circulation, and nutrients to thrive 🌞🌬️. Proper distance also prevents the spread of diseases and makes harvesting easier. Healthy spacing = healthier cacao = better chocolate!

#HaciendaPaloSanto #SustainableFarming #CacaoHeritage #AncientTrees #EcoFriendlyFarming #CacaoFarm #Biodiversity #TreeConservation #SustainableAgriculture #NatureGuardians #PreserveNature #CacaoJourney #singlestatecacao #cacaonibs🍫 #cacaomass #cacaopulp #cacaopulppowder

🌱✨ The Roots of Cacao in Ecuador ✨🌱
Did you know that Ecuador has been at the heart of cacao’s history for thousands of years? 🌍🍫

📸 Swipe through these moments of nature, history, and tradition. Let’s celebrate cacao’s journey from ancient times to the hands of artisans and chocolate lovers everywhere! 🍃🍫

#CacaoHistory #EcuadorianCacao #AncientTraditions #FromSeedToPod #CacaoHeritage #singlestatecacao #haciendapalosanto

Sharing our story — the journey that began at Hacienda Sofía, in Naranjal área where our passion for cacao as a family first took root. Grandpa Riccardo bought Sofia in the 70’s. 🌱

Hacienda Sofía was more than a starting point; it taught us to blend tradition with sustainable innovation, shaping everything we do today at Hacienda Palo Santo, via La Costa

From those roots, we’ve built a legacy of heritage and quality, crafting cacao cherished by chocolate makers around the world 🍫— each bean carrying our story of dedication and love for the land and the people who cultivate it.

#singleestatecacao #cacaonibs #cacaopulp #cacaomass #cacaobeans #cacaoecuador #ecuadoriancacao #cacaoexcellence

As we say goodbye to 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for a year of collaboration and delicious moments. 🌱🍫 At Hacienda Palo Santo, every cacao bean, every drop of effort, and every connection made has been a step toward something sweeter.

As a family, we work side by side with our incredible team every day on the farm. Their hard work and dedication inspire us to keep growing, and thanks to every order from our amazing customers, we can provide opportunities that support their families and strengthen our community. 💪❤️

Here’s to a vibrant 2025—full of new opportunities, deeper roots, and sustainable progress! 💛 Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, let’s continue to grow something extraordinary.

#HaciendaPaloSanto #Gratitude #FarmFamily #SustainableCacao #CommunityFirst #singlestatecacao

From our family at Hacienda Palo Santo (missing some family members in the picture)🌱 to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with peace, love, and Joy. 🎄✨ Thank you for being part of our journey and supporting our mission. 🍫❤️
#HaciendaPaloSanto #CacaoWithLove #MerryChristmas #cacaoecuador #singlestatecacao

Our greatest pride and asset at Hacienda Sofia are our 60-year-old plantations🌳

For generations, we have prioritized their care and maintenance, recognizing their exceptional productivity and historical significance👴🏻💚

Our products:
Cacao Beans, Nibs, Liquor & Pods.
Cacao Pulp Frozen, Aseptic, Powder & Freeze Dried.

For inquirers: info@haciendapalosanto.com

#HaciendaSofia #haciendapalosanto #sostenibility #organic #cacaolovers #export #beentobar #beentobarchocolate

Ready for departure 🚢🚢🚢🌳. #haciendapalosanto #orgniccocoa #export #cacao #ecuador #ecuadoriancacao #cacaolovers

Sharing pictures from our organic cacao farm ⭐️ harvest of the day #cacao #growers #ecuador #cacaobeans

We stand for direct source in the cacao industry as a solution for traceability and organic products 🌳🌳 it’s is possible at Palo Santo ✨ We source organic cacao beans, Nibs & Mass / Liquor. #cacao #cacaogrowers #farm #export #cocoa

Drying our Organic Cacao Beans at the farm ♻️❣️

Getting our cocoa beans ready for export 🙌 #cacao #cocoa #export

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@hacienda.palosanto

FAMILY FARM GROWING & EXPORTING ORGANIC CACAO SINCE 1977

Organic Cacao Beans

Cacao Fruit Pulp

Cacao Pods

We are organic certified

​

Follow us on Instagram

FAMILY FARM
GROWING & EXPORTING
ORGANIC CACAO SINCE 1977