Bean to Bar
Whole cacao beans selected for quality, traceability, and flavor development. Available in limited lots.
Cacao grows as a fruit on trees native to equatorial regions of the world. Inside each pod are seeds surrounded by a bright, fruit-forward pulp. Through harvesting, fermentation, and drying, those seeds slowly become cacao.
Makenu offers whole cacao beans as a way to experience that process closer to its beginning, with an emphasis on thoughtful sourcing and careful selection.
Chocolate begins long before the bar.
Shop cacao beans
How these beans are sourced
Selected with intention
Cacao beans offered by Makenu are sourced through established specialty cacao supply networks that prioritize transparency, post-harvest quality, and responsible handling.
Selection typically considers:
Origin and harvest context
Fermentation and drying practices
Overall bean condition and flavor potential
From tree to transport
The cacao process
Cacao trees produce pods that grow directly from the trunk and main branches. After harvesting, pods are opened and the seeds are removed along with their surrounding pulp.
The seeds typically undergo:
Fermentation, commonly in wooden boxes, baskets, or similar vessels over several days
Drying, often on raised beds or racks, until moisture levels are reduced for storage and transport
These steps play a significant role in shaping the flavor characteristics of the cacao.
Quality evaluation
Evaluating fermentation
One common quality evaluation method in cacao sourcing is the cut test, where a sample of beans is opened to assess internal color and fermentation progress.
Cut tests are used as one of several indicators of post-harvest handling and overall bean quality.
Transport and handling
From origin to Makenu
After processing, cacao beans are typically packed in breathable sacks and transported through standard agricultural export channels.
Beans may move through multiple stages including regional collection points, ports, and domestic warehouses before arriving at Makenu.
Visit us in Atlantic Beach
Makenu
Customers are welcome to explore cacao in person at our Atlantic Beach location.
In-store, you may find:
Whole cacao beans and seasonal chocolate offerings
Café beverages and confections
Staff available to answer questions about sourcing and use
This gift bag, totaling $38, can include two large single origin chocolate bars with or without an inclusion ingredient, along with one small bar, a small toffee or truffle four pack.
This gifting option, totaling $80, will include 3 large single origin chocolate bars with or without inclusion ingredients, 3 small bars, a large Topsy Toffee option, and a 4 pack of truffles.
This option, totaling $130, will include 4 large single origin bars with or without inclusion ingredients, 3 small bars, a large Topsy Toffee, 8 pack of truffles, a selection of 4 unique filled bon-bons and a 5oz pouch of dipped fruits.
Chocolate, Wrapped with Meaning
Whether it’s a thoughtful thank you, a sweet surprise, or a just-because indulgence, our curated gift bags are ready to delight — no wrapping required.
For Retailers & Shops.
Our products are stocked in select boutiques, specialty grocers, and hospitality spaces across the U.S.
We offer a rotating collection of single-origin bars, seasonal flavors, and gift-ready packaging — along with tasting cards and storytelling assets to bring the experience to life in-store.
Perfect for:
Concept shops • Curated marketplaces • Hotels • Cafés • Independent grocers
