In a tiny Parisian workshop, far from the tropical climates where cacao grows, Ara Chocolat is quietly preserving one of the world’s most important food legacies. Founded in 2015 by Venezuelan couple Andrés and Sabrina Zakhour, Ara is among the very few bean-to-bar makers roasting their own cacao in France.

Every bar begins with Andrés himself—traveling, sourcing, and selecting cacao beans directly from small growers and cooperatives across Latin America. By working face-to-face with farmers, Ara ensures not only fair and transparent relationships, but also access to rare native and ancestral cacao varieties that carry the stories of the land in their flavors.

Their name, Ara, honors the brilliantly colored macaws of Latin America—a symbol of biodiversity, freedom, and the deep connection between people and place. Each chocolate is a celebration of this heritage, crafted in micro-batches so that nothing is rushed and every nuance of the cacao shines.

At Ara Chocolat, chocolate isn’t just something to eat—it’s a journey. A way to taste the difference between regions, varietals, and traditions. It’s an invitation to savor and protect heirloom cacao, so that future generations can still experience the astonishing diversity of flavors that true cacao offers.