Field Notes

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cacao
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wellness

Oro single origin chocolate bars dusted with cacao nibs

Three Cacao Varieties. One Origin. Completely Different Chocolate.

May 30, 2026Muffadal Saylawala

Most people think chocolate flavor comes from what you add. Sugar. Milk. Vanilla. Flavor oils.It doesn't. The biggest factor in chocolate flavor is the cacao variety. Just like wine grapes,...

Oro chocolate makers pouring cacao into the melanger in our Wicker Park shop

Bean to Bar Chocolate: What It Actually Means

May 30, 2026Muffadal Saylawala

"Bean to bar" gets thrown around a lot. Most people assume it means small batch or artisanal. It doesn't. Here's what it actually means.The processBean to bar means one company...

Pouring pure cocoa mass into melted single origin Nicaraguan chocolate

What Is Ceremonial Cacao? And Why We Make It Differently.

May 30, 2026Muffadal Saylawala

Ceremonial cacao is having a momentInstagram is full of it. Wellness accounts talk about heart-opening experiences and cacao ceremonies. Some of it is real. Some of it is marketing.We make...