Discover Öko Caribe: Award-Winning Organic Cocoa from the Dominican Republic

At Fresco Chocolate, we're proud to craft artisan dark chocolate in small batches using single-origin cocoa. One of our most cherished sources is Öko Caribe, a standout origin in the Dominican Republic known for its bold flavor and consistent quality. We've been using Öko Caribe cocoa for over 10 years, and it has always been exceptionally consistent and flavorful.

A Trusted Cocoa Partner: Öko Caribe

Image Courtesy of Uncommon Cacao

Nestled in the cacao-rich Duarte province, Öko Caribe is a producer known for integrity, flavor, and innovation. Led by founders Adriano and Gualberto, this small operation works closely with 127 organic producers.

They maintain close relationships with every farmer through technical training in agronomic practices, organic certification, and personal trust. Adriano and Gualberto even offer microfinance loans for cacao-related expenses and emergency support for their community—true stewards of ethical cocoa production.

The result? Hand-sorted, solar-dried beans that deliver deep, dark red fruit and caramel flavors, with notes of raisin, plum, and fig.

Importing with Integrity: Our Partnership with Uncommon Cacao

We partner with Uncommon Cacao, a pioneer in transparent trade. They’ve built a longstanding relationship with Öko Caribe, ensuring ethical sourcing and traceable quality every step of the way. Read more about Uncommon Cacao HERE.

The Fresco Approach: Precision Meets Transparency

Our chocolate-making process preserves and highlights the unique character of each bean:

Roasted in small batches to develop light, medium, or dark profiles
Stone-ground over several days for creamy texture
Conched with care to refine flavor and mouthfeel
Nothing added—just cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and organic cane sugar

Öko Caribe Bars we proudly make:

72% Light Roast – Bright and delicate with tart fruit notes
72% Medium Roast – Bold and balanced with red fruit and caramel
100% Medium Roast – Deep and intense with smooth finish

We've been honored with 18+ awards from the Academy of Chocolate and the International Chocolate Awards for our Öko Caribe Bars.

Raspberry & Chocolate: A Perfect Match

We also use our 72% medium roast Öko Caribe chocolate in Raspberry Bark, a local favorite featuring freeze-dried raspberries from Whatcom County, Washington—our home. Whatcom County grows more raspberries than anywhere else in the U.S. We consider it our civic duty to offer this delicious combination.

The natural deep fruit notes in Öko Caribe perfectly complement the tart, vibrant raspberries for an irresistible treat. Find Raspberry Bark HERE.