Just when we thought trips to Saint Lucia couldn’t get sweeter, Jade Mountain invites its guests to make their own chocolate in a brand-new chocolate laboratory. The scenic resort is also the island’s only ‘bean to bar’ organic single estate boutique chocolate maker, and it has been using its 1000 cocoa trees to create hand-crafted treats for visitors over the past three years. The new facility allows travellers a chance to test their own skills, as well as enjoying a range of chocolate-infused activities such as sensory tastings, educational estate trips and truffle making classes. Chocolate lovers will be further enticed by chocolate inspired dishes, cocktails and body treatments in the resort restaurants, bars and spa. There is also an annual Discover Chocolate Festival, held this year between 10 and 14 October.
Some examples of Jade Mountain’s chocolate experience:
Chocolate Sensory Tasting
First taste the cocoa bean, which is the very first step in chocolate production, and end the tasting with the strongest type of cocoa mass while sampling all steps in between. As a culmination of the sensory tasting session, guests get to sample some homemade truffles and a variety of Emerald Estate Organic Chocolate bars.
Tuesday from 10:00 – 10:30 am in the Emerald Restaurant
Complimentary for resort guests
Discover Chocolate
Guests participate in the making of chocolate in the Chocolate Lab, learning the basic techniques, tempering chocolate, creating their own fudge and making a personalized chocolate bar.
Tuesday from 10:30 – 11:30am in the Chocolate Lab
$45 per person – Min 2/Max 6 persons per session
The Emerald Estate Tree to Bar Tour
Visitthe Emerald Estate for a Cocoa Tour to experience the complete cycle of ‘Tree to Bar’, learning about the history of chocolate in the Caribbean and the production process. Afterwards, guests return to the Chocolate Lab, where their host will elaborate on the technical part of making the perfect chocolate bar. This two-hour experience takes guests through cocoa bean roasting, grinding and conching. Along the way, guests will enjoy an invigorating cup of local cocoa tea and the Emerald Estate’s organic chocolate bars that range from 60 %, 70 % and 92 % Bittersweet. Guests will receive a Bar of Emerald Estate Organic Chocolate as a farewell souvenir to take home.
Monday from 9:00 – 11:00am
$75 per person – Min 2/Max 6 persons per session