Humans started consuming and cultivating cacao 5300 years ago. Migration and commerce spread cacao through Central and Tropical South America, and into the Caribbean. From 1500, European influence carried cacao to tropical areas around the...

The Ancient Roots of Cacao Cacao has been used for millenia in ceremonies by the indigenous people of Mesoamerica. These peoples have cultivated a close bond with the cacao plant, and weaved it like a...

Dear Soma Family, We write this to you from the foot of a young palm tree on the beach beside Kuburne Village on Karkar Island, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. We’ve come here...

This week we want to explore a trending topic in the world of cacao. We’re aware some of you flirt with other cacao brands, receive their advertising advances, maybe even have a fling  from time...

Happy New Year, Soma Crew! 2024 was a big year for our small business. Cacao commodity prices quintupled from June 2023 to December 2024. We have always paid up for high-quality cacao (10-20x commodity market...

The global cacao industry, which underpins the multi-billion-dollar chocolate market, is often romanticised for its cultural richness and exotic origins. However, beneath this appealing surface lies a complex web of socio-economic challenges, with corruption being...

The Illusion of Fair Trade: A Critical Analysis of Cacao Production and Certification In recent years, the appeal of fair trade certification has grown, especially for ethically conscious consumers seeking to support sustainable practices. However,...

Dear Soma Crew, Cacao grows in paradise. Crops can only be grown in areas within 20 degrees of the Equator with high year-round temperatures and ample annual rainfall. Most of the world’s cacao is grown...

In recent years, so-called "ceremonial cacao' has been gaining popularity across the globe, and this trend is just starting to make its way to Australia. But what is all the excitement really about? Why are...