Conversation: History and Magic of Cocoa in ‘The Aroma of Travel'

23-08-24

From the Word Cocoa and Derivatives Tourist Destinations Network, Tourism and Society Think Tank program we are pleased to invite you to join our new section, ‘The Aroma of Travel’. This space has been created for those who wish to explore, learn, connect and be surprised, all while falling in love with magical places and their people, united by the same passion: the love and respect for the land, cocoa, and of course, chocolate.

In our first meeting of "The Aroma of Travel", we will have the participation of Amora Carbajal, General Director of the World Tourist Destinations of Cocoa and Derivatives Network, who will be talking with a very special guest, Dr. Quirino Olivera, a prominent Peruvian archaeologist. Dr. Olivera will share his fascinating experience with the discovery of the archaeological site of Montegrande, located in the Amazonian province of Jaén, in Cajamarca, Peru. 

Dr. Quirino Olivera

This discovery is of great importance for the history of cocoa, as traces of cocoa were found in the Huaca de Montegrande that date back 5,300 years before the present. This finding suggests that the origin of cocoa as a botanical species could be in the Peruvian Amazon.

‘The Aroma of Travel’ is an initiative of the Word Cocoa and Derivatives Tourist Destinations Network, conceived as a key activity to promote and highlight the cultural, historical and natural richness of destinations linked to cocoa and chocolate. Through this series of meetings, we seek not only to highlight the importance of cocoa and its transformation into chocolate in various cultures around the world, but also to promote sustainable tourism that values and respects the territories and communities that make this heritage possible. Chocolate, as the end product of cocoa, and the best known derivative, is a symbol of tradition and craftsmanship, and its history is intrinsically linked to the cultures that produce and consume it.

Huaca de Montegrande

The main objective of ‘The Aroma of Travel’ is to create a space for dialogue and learning, where experts and cocoa enthusiasts can share their knowledge and experiences. Furthermore, this platform aims to inspire participants to delve deeper into the relationship between cocoa, its origins and its impact on communities, thus promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of this valuable natural and cultural resource.

The 1st ‘The Aroma of Travel’ Conversation is an opportunity to discover more about the origins and history of cocoa, and will be held on Wednesday, 4 September at 8:00 am in Guatemala, 9:00 am in Peru, 11:00 am in Argentina and 4:00 pm in Spain.

Press contact:

cocoanet@tourismandsocietytt.com 

Word Cocoa and Derivatives Tourist Destinations Network

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