All of your little stresses vanish among the sun and the trees, and your mind can’t help but focus entirely on what’s right in front of you — little pods of future chocolate bars.

"We have a long history of cacao farming," says Saul Amarista. "Our vision is preserve the cacao farm for the next generation of Venezuelan cacao farmers as well as to build on that legacy, setting an example for the highest quality standard cacao."

We were to meet farmers who have transitioned from producing coca to planting cacao. We wanted to hear their stories, meet their families and tour their farms.

The new, state-of-the-art facility in Paine will produce liquid chocolate and compound for food manufacturers and confectionery companies.

Chocolatiers and buyers from more than a dozen countires were in attendence.

“This acquisition provides Bell with the platform and resources to expand our business in Brazil and South America,” says James Heinz, Bell’s president and ceo.

“Many Brazilian chocolate experts travel to Europe and North America to take courses. Now they can find a high-level place around the corner, here in Brazil," explains Bertrand Busquet, French chef and technical advisor at the new Brazilian chocolate training center.