Indigenous Chocolate

Creators, Growers, Origin and Source of Chocolate

What is Indigenous Chocolate?

Indigenous Chocolate represents the authentic origins of cacao, cultivated and prepared by Indigenous peoples for millennia. It acknowledges the rich cultural, ecological, and economic legacy of Theobroma cacao (L. 1753), commonly known as the Chocolate Tree. The study of cacao, known as Theobromatology, examines its botanical, ethnological, historical, legal, and scientific significance, recognizing it as "the Food of the Gods."

A theobromatologist is someone deeply engaged in the study, cultivation, or preparation of cacao and chocolate, whether through academic research or traditional practices. Indigenous farmers, artisans, and chocolate makers have passed down their knowledge for generations, preserving traditional methods and sustainable growing practices.

Art work depicting experienced Indigenous Peoples (theobromatologists) growing cacao and making chocolate at an encomienda farm. (c. 1671) Public Domain

Certificate of authenticity of Indigenous Chocolate origin.

Theobromatology, Indigenous Chocolate, and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property

Indigenous-Chocolate.org serves as a dedicated platform for protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) related to cacao, chocolate, and cocoa. Through Theobroma Labs, we work alongside Indigenous communities to document historical knowledge, uphold sovereign legal claims, and certify authentic Indigenous cacao products.

The Indigenous Intellectual Property Commission (IIPC) ensures that the original knowledge and resources of cacao’s Indigenous originators are respected, licensed, and certified. As stewards of the Theobroma cacao genome, Indigenous communities maintain the right to govern its ethical trade and recognition in global markets.

Distinguishing Cacao from Cocoa

The distinction between cacao and cocoa is essential both legally and linguistically. There are several ways to distinguish them from one another, but generally you will not find cocoa in South America.

Cacao refers to Theobroma cacao cultivated within its native regions, primarily Latin America.

Cocoa is used for Theobroma cacao grown outside its native range in places such as Africa, Indonesia, and the Pacific.

Legal and commercial recognition requires accurate geographical labeling. Without proper designation, Theobroma cacao cannot be legally certified or licensed under Indigenous Intellectual Property rights.

Theobroma Labs is an in-situ research center located at the origin of Theobroma cacao.

Our Mission and Work

Indigenous Chocolate is committed to:

✅ Documenting the historical and legal origins of cacao and chocolate.
✅ Promoting Indigenous self-governance in the cacao industry.
✅ Supporting the ethical sourcing and certification of Indigenous-grown cacao.
✅ Advocating for recognition and fair compensation for Indigenous cacao farmers and artisans.
✅ Developing reconciliatory solutions for the colonial exploitation of chocolate.

Chocolate Trademark and Symbol

Indigenous-Chocolate.org represents certified Indigenous cacao through:

CACAO™, CHOCOLATE™, and COCOA™ – Recognized under common-law trademarks.

Our efforts are made possible through partnerships with:

🌿 Sovereign Indigenous Peoples from Central and South America.
🍫 Bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturers supporting direct-trade initiatives.
🌍 Unify Cooperative, facilitating Indigenous licensing and governance.
📝 Authors, researchers, and advocates contributing knowledge and insight.
💰 Investors and supporters funding Indigenous-led chocolate enterprises.

The Tapir is a sacred animal in the Indigenous cosmogony.

The Tapir is the only animal other than humans which is known to migrate the Theobroma cacao seed overland, across rivers, and throughout the forests.

Theobroma Labs is a nongovernmental open-source initiative with the Indigenous Peoples responsible for accurately classifying, defining, identifying, legitimizing, licensing, naming, registering and standardizing their Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in common-law, understanding sui generis Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights and lex mercatoria principles for the legal use of Indigenous Domain and to obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to genetic resources, certification and trademarks on an international basis; Theobroma Labs authenticates claims for all types of ICIP (not just the Theobroma genus) that can be identified and verified to origin biologically, culturally, ethnologically, genetically, historically, literally, and/or scientifically in connection with its Indigenous discoverers. Each commercialized genetic natural resource is entitled to treatment by the origin. Title 15 U.S. Code § 1125 makes it unlawful to create false designations of origin, false descriptions, and dilution is forbidden. The most famous remarkable and original creation, discovery and invention of the Indigenous Peoples of Mesoamerica and South America is "Chocolate from Cacao", which is currently available worldwide as different types of chocolate and grown ex-situ as cocoa.

Disclaimer: "Theobromatology", "Indigenous Chocolate", "Forest-to-Bar" and "Guardians of the Forest" are trademarks protected in first-use by Unify Cooperative used to describe and identify the Indigenous peoples' selective process method of discovery of the use of biogenetic and entheogenic resources that have great economic value used by mankind with a social demand that form part of endangered biodiverse ecosystems or biomes, as trademarks they represent commercial brand names associated with selling cacao and chocolate. Theobroma Labs (the trade name) treats all types of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (not just Theobroma) that are identified, native, or traceable based on biological origins within sovereign Indigenous territories in a direct-trade relationship with similarly Indigenous owned social enterprises.