Madagascar Sambirano — Bejofo Estate
About This Origin
Madagascar is one of those origins that needs no introduction in the craft chocolate world — and Bejofo Estate is a big reason why. Bertil Åkesson’s family has been farming in the Sambirano Valley since the 1920s, growing cacao alongside pepper, vanilla, and other aromatic spices on a property that spans roughly 2,000 hectares. What started as neglected colonial-era plantings has become one of the most consistent and widely respected sources of fine flavor cacao anywhere in the world. Madagascar is one of only a handful of countries classified as 100% fine flavor by the International Cocoa Organization — and Sambirano is its heartland.
The preparation on this bean is very clean, and you’ll notice an interesting reddish tone to the beans — that’s characteristic of this origin and a good sign you’re working with properly fermented Sambirano cacao. We briefly carried this origin before and sold through quickly. I’m glad to have it back.
Post-Harvest Details
- Fermentation: 3-tier cascade wooden boxes, on-estate
- Drying: Concrete patios and raised beds, on-estate
- Certification: Certified Organic
Farm & Region Details
- Estate: Bejofo Estate, Åkesson’s
- Farmer: Bertil Ã…kesson
- Region: Sambirano Valley, Ambanja District, northwest Madagascar
- Elevation: 293 meters
- Variety: Trinitario (predominantly), with a small amount of Criollo
- Harvest seasons: October – November and May – June
- Classification: Fine flavor — Madagascar is 100% fine flavor classified (ICCO)