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Sweet Business in Haiti

Published December 27th, 2020 - 07:54 GMT

Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry, refuting the stereotype that culinary art is the preserve of wealthy countries. The private sector began investing in the cocoa industry, which until then had been supported solely by non-governmental organizations and humanitarian efforts.

Before, there was the systematic destruction of cocoa trees because the market price wasn't interesting for farmers who preferred very short-cycle crops. The cooperative now works with more than 4,000 farmers in northern Haiti.

For master chocolatier Ralph Leroy, making a rum ganache was not an obvious choice. After years in Montreal, he returned home to Haiti as an haute-couture stylist.

His shift to cocoa began when he made clothes out of chocolate for a culinary trade show. The training he then underwent for a year in Italy fueled his passion as much as his pride.

From his workshop, where he also concocts chocolate-based cocktails, Leroy sees as sweet revenge the great marketing of his bars.
 

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Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Ralph Leroy, chocolate maker, entrepreneur and chocolate sculptor, poses with one of his emblematic creations, a shoe in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Ralph Leroy, chocolate maker, entrepreneur and chocolate sculptor, poses with one of his emblematic creations, a shoe in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Cocoa beans are seen in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Cocoa beans are seen in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Ralph Leroy, chocolate maker, entrepreneur and chocolate sculptor, poses with one of his emblematic creations, a shoe in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Cocoa beans are seen in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Ralph Leroy, chocolate maker, entrepreneur and chocolate sculptor, poses with one of his emblematic creations, a shoe in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Ralph Leroy, chocolate maker, entrepreneur and chocolate sculptor, poses with one of his emblematic creations, a shoe in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Cocoa beans are seen in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP
Cocoa beans are seen in the workshops of Makaya Chocolat on December 23, 2020 in Petionville, Haiti. Although small in the face of South America's giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa industry to ensure better incomes for thousands of modest farmers and to end the stereotype of gastronomic art known as the domain of wealthy countries. Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

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