Caputo’s Market & Deli has introduced the Wild Criollo Chocolate Bar in a momentous celebration for craft chocolate enthusiasts and conservationists alike, marking the culmination of their Wild Chocolate trilogy. This extraordinary creation features 100% genetically pure wild Criollo cacao, a rare variety once considered lost to hybridization. Rediscovered deep within the protected confines of the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) nature reserve, this cacao embodies a profound historical and cultural legacy.
For Matt Caputo, CEO of Caputo’s Market, the journey to creating this remarkable chocolate bar is deeply personal. Driven by his passion for cacao’s rich history and cultural mysticism, Matt sought to recapture the romantic allure that initially drew him into the world of fine chocolate.
“The reason I became so obsessed with chocolate was the culture and history,” Matt explained passionately during a recent press event. “It was the rarity and the hope of tasting something from a bygone civilization. With the Wild Criollo, we’ve reclaimed that mysticism. This isn’t just chocolate; it’s history brought back to life.”
Matt’s enthusiasm underscores the spirit of collaboration that defines this project. Caputo’s partnered closely with BFREE and Lithuanian craft chocolate artisan Domantas Uzpalis of Chocolate Naive, each contributing unique expertise to bring this exceptional chocolate to fruition. Uzpalis’s dedication was evident in every step, crafting the bar meticulously to highlight the natural creaminess and nuanced flavors inherent to the rare Criollo beans.
Jacob Marlin, founder of BFREE, echoed this collaborative sentiment during the unveiling, highlighting the significance of collective action. “Everyone involved is doing this altruistically, positively, and for the right reasons,” he emphasized. “It makes the world a better place. This chocolate symbolizes all the hard work, passion, and dedication of many people to preserve biodiversity and cultural heritage.”
This shared effort is central to Caputo’s Preservation Project, an initiative where 100% of revenue from the Wild Criollo Bar supports ongoing ecological and cultural preservation work at BFREE. The project illustrates a unique synergy between conservation efforts and culinary excellence, offering consumers an opportunity to taste chocolate history while actively contributing to environmental sustainability.
“Through food, we can heal some of the damage done to our world,” Matt reflected. “Projects like this make tangible the idea that individual choices matter profoundly. This bar is more than a treat—it’s a way to participate actively in protecting our planet’s incredible biodiversity.”
The Wild Criollo Chocolate Bar is now available exclusively at Caputo’s Market & Deli and online at caputos.com. Each bite promises an unparalleled gustatory experience and a chance to partake in the powerful legacy of a once-mythical cacao, now thriving through the passion and dedication of those committed to safeguarding the natural world.
