Beyond the Bar: Discovering Jamaican Chocolate

PURE Chocolate Jamaica is an artisanal chocolate brand that was born in 2017 from a desire to develop the under appreciated cacao and to give back to those that work diligently in the Jamaican farms. The founders, Rennae Johnson and her husband Wouter Tjeertes are former pastry chefs and have turned their years of experience making unique combinations in the kitchen with pastry to blending the finest cacao with Jamaican inspired flavours. Some of these include jerk seasoning, Blue Mountain coffee, sorrel and of course Jamaican rum. However, the cacao behind the bar has its own story.

Jamaica, one of a select few countries globally recognised by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) produces some of the world's rarest and most prized 100% "fine-flavour" Trinitario cacao beans known for complex flavour notes of fruit, floral, nuttiness, and spice. Spanish settlers first brought cacao to Jamaica in the 16th century, where traditional small-scale farming historically called "cocoa walks" thrived under the shade of coconut and banana trees. The beans carry the distinctive fruity, spicy, and earthy characteristics shaped by the island's unique Caribbean climate, volcanic soil and traditional post-harvest handling.

Sustainability is a growing focus in Jamaica's cacao industry, but this isn't a trend it's the standard for how cacao is grown. Initiatives such as the Jamaican Cocoa Farmers Union and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) are helping Jamaican farmers improve crop quality and soil health.

Unlike mass-produced chocolate, Jamaican cacao has a story to tell with every bite. The cacao movement in Jamaica is still unfolding. The passion is real, the flavours are distinct. Jamaican chocolate is both a cultural treasure and an ethically crafted delight.

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