For the Love of Travel and Food

Food takes us on culinary adventures around the world, engaging all our senses, invigorating our taste buds, and leaving us craving more.

In this issue, we take you on a culinary adventure. Learn about Belize’s authentic cuisine. Rich in flavour and full of diversity… it's sure to give you a new fond appreciation for food!

With a melting pot of cultures, Belizean cuisine is like no other. Belizean cuisine reflects the country’s culture and rich history encompassing a blend of Mayan, Indian, Chinese, and many other cultures. Traveling and trying different restaurants and dishes is the best way to discover a country.

Feasting on what’s in season is a must!

Lobster, Cashew, Chocolate and Mango Festivals, are seasonal with celebrations for these mouthwatering foods being celebrated countrywide during this time!

Food - it sustains us, brings people together and comforts us. It excites us, and leads us to seek immersive and culinary travel experiences. Today, Belize is fast becoming a foodie destination. Agritourism and environmental sustainability is at the forefront of many resorts core practices, allowing guests to experience food in its purest forms. The rich soil all over this Jewel of Belize allows for much wholesome and nutritious produce to be served.

Whether enjoying the gastronomic journey of farm-totable, or venturing on an educational culinary tour, we invite you to explore Belize through its food!

The Past and Present of Chocolate in Belize

Chocolate has long been part of our ancient history, starting with the Maya who used the cocoa beans as a form of currency. Since its discovery, the whole world has developed a taste for chocolate. On a global scale, over 7.2 million metric tons of chocolate is estimated to be consumed yearly. The source of all this chocolate lies in the tropics. Belize is one of many countries with warm humid weather suitable for growing cacao trees. Cacao has been a large part of Belize’s agriculture trade since the 1950's and still is today.

And that’s not all that’s growing!

With the popularity of agritourism growing, many resorts around Belize are opening their doors and taking guests on a culinary adventure. As we celebrate the universal love for food and the upcoming celebration of Belize’s Annual Chocolate Festival held in the South, the Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle Team headed to Copal Tree Lodge to shoot the cover of this issue. With sustainable food production and agritourism at its core - producing organic sugar cane, cacao, coffee and vanilla crops – we set out to learn more about these amazing ingredients, in particular, its Chocolate making program. With the Chocolate Festival right around the corner we wanted to see first-hand what was in the making and also learn about what it takes to produce these delicious delights.

Like many other inquisitive travellers, we were invited to witness, participate and enjoy traditional chocolate making on their Bean-to-Bar Tour, which has only been offered for the last eight years. Learning all the tricks of the trade handed down from generations to generations, Elon Ranguy and Maynard Jacobs, key players on the farm, shared their invaluable knowledge with us.

The tour started with a trip to the nursery - getting an introduction to the Cacao plant, and learning about grafting, harvesting, and fermentation. Moving over to Copal Trees Chocolate room, we further learnt about roasting, winnowing, conching and tempering. Developing the natural fine flavors of cacao is no easy task and requires great precision every step of the way. Taking the tour, you acquire a pronounced appreciation for all the work it takes to create these mouth-watering chocolates the world so desires and craves.

The next time you take a bite of chocolate, think for a minute about the art of how it was made! If ever in Punta Gorda head on over to Copal Tree Lodge for an immersive experience on their Bean-to-Bar tour!

Written by: Louise Roe

Photos: Leonardo Melendez