This August, Linda met Kad Kokoa’s COO, Leo Sebag. Leo has developed and implemented workflow strategies using an enterprise resource planning tool for over three years. It helps hire and train teams, optimize cost and price structures, revamp the accounting recording standards, and supervise all teams to foster continuous improvement. Leo shared some of Kad Kokoa’s history and future aspirations.
What happens when a pair of legal consultants planning early retirement buy property in Chiang Mai? A thriving chocolate business, naturally.
Okay, it’s not quite that simple. But it’s true.
From 2017 to 2018, Ta Nuttaya and Paniti Junhasavasdikul worked tirelessly so they could retire young. The plan was simple: find a plot of land in the countryside and build something they were passionate about.
Multiple road trips around Thailand finally landed them in Chiang Mai Province, where they found their dream property. Amphur Mae Tang boasts a pristine landscape bordering Mae Hong Son Province.
They kept working crazy hours in Bangkok, brainstorming about what to build on their hidden gem of land. On the advice of neighbours and friends, they planted cacao trees to complement existing plants.
When they finally retired, Ta and Paniti realized the lush forests in the mountains and valleys around Huay Nam Dang National Park created perfect conditions for growing high-altitude cacao. The flourishing trees and their passion for everything chocolate led to the birth of Kad Kokoa.
Distinct Thai Craft Chocolate
Kad Kokoa is a Thai craft chocolate maker known for its distinctive approach. Their
chocolates are renowned for accentuating Thai cacao bean's authentic flavours and unique terroir.
As pioneers in the sector, Kad Kokoa advocates for Thai-grown cacao beans and a distinctively Thai chocolate industry. Kad Kokoa is a co-founding member of the ISTC - Innovation Research Center for Sustainable Thai Cacao, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University in Nan Province. They also collaborate with the Chumphon Horticulture Research Center in Southern Thailand, for a truly national approach.
Kad Kokoa chocolates are crafted with a clear social impact mission—to foster sustainable practices in cultivating specialty cacao in Thailand.
Outstanding Flavours Lead to Brand Recognition
Kad Kokoa’s outstanding flavours in their chocolate and pastry offerings have earned the trust of esteemed culinary chefs. With tasting notes of flowers and honey, the company is gaining recognition as a national brand.
This has led to collaborations with renowned brands and businesses in the hospitality sector, including Thai Airways, Jim Thompson, Four Seasons, Aman, Capella, Anantara, St. Regis, IGNIV, and others.
The nascent Thai chocolate industry is growing, and brands like Kad Kokoa are leading the way. Their chocolates are now distributed in North America, Japan, Europe, and Hong Kong through reputable wholesalers and distributors closely affiliated with the brand and its philosophy.
Re-think Sustainability with Kad Kokoa and ECOSHIFT
ECOSHIFT’s commitment to improving the lives of smallholder cacao farmers in Thailand dovetails with the philosophy of Kad Kokoa. Our shared goals will lead to collaboration to achieve the following purposes:
sourcing more premium products
enroll farmers in ECOSHIFT’s traceability program
promote Thai cacao and chocolate worldwide
creating a cocoa community with responsible practices and fair prices for all
improve the overall market
ECOSHIFT continues to build strategic alliances with smallholder cacao farmers, Thai chocolate makers and leading research institutions.
We give smallholder farmers the tools to improve quality and yields, track and verify the supply chain and comply with regulations like EUDR. With better pricing and long-term contracts, we aim to build the most impactful cooperative of cacao growers and other smallholder farmers in Thailand.
ECOSHIFT builds scalable supply chains for smallholder farmers with end-to-end traceability for verification and compliance with EUDR and other standards.
by Tim Morch, Freelance Writer
All photos by Kad Kokoa.
Shops:
Kad Kokoa Chocolate Shop - Suanplu Sathon: 1076 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 17, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Kad Kokoa at Velaa - Velaa Langsuan: 87, C115, 1 Soi Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Kad Kokoa Cacao Bistro - Sukhumvit 31: 235 5 Soi Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Buy online: shopee.com/kad_kokoa
Website: https://kadkokoa.co/
Want to learn more about ECOSHIFT?
Contact Linda at: linda@ecoshift.io