Who doesn’t like these two things especially when they are together I’m a big fan of organic farms so I was happy to discover that Grenada has many organic cocoa plantations using sustainable gardening methods. Twelve farmers work together in a cooperative providing the cocoa beans for the Grenada Chocolate Company, a producer of the award winning organic dark chocolate bar. I was specifically interested in Belmont Estate, which is in a strategic alliance with the Grenada Chocolate Company, and a grower of an array of exotic spices. I liked their estate as they not only offer various tours but they have a heritage museum, restaurant, café, petting farm, flower garden, organic farm and goat dairy. So once there people can do many things on the estate.
They actually offer four types of farm tours. On the Classic Tour you learn about the history of Belmont estate and the whole chocolate making process while get a chance to have a peek at the working residence. You can also visit the heritage museum – which has a large selection of displays recording Grenada’s ancestry, lifestyle, traditions and the history of Belmont estate -, pet animals including tortoise, goats, monkeys and parrots, sample the delicious organic dark chocolate and the local hot chocolate which is full of warm spices. And there is the chocolate lovers tour called the Bean to Bar Chocolate Tour, which takes you on a detailed journey of chocolate making where you can use all your senses to experience the creation of this wonderful piece of joy by gaining information and watching demonstration on harvesting, cracking, collecting while participating in the tasting of fresh cocoa beans. This tour also includes a visit to the Grenada Chocolate Factory and a lunch with chocolate dishes. The lunch is served in their restaurant on the estate offering Grenadian cuisine with fresh ingredients from their garden and a continuous spice scent while dining. Their signature dished includes callaloo soup, papaya salad, goat cheese salad, home made ice cream (coconut, bergamot, cinnamon) and fruit juices and punches. There is a Tropical Garden Tour for those love to learn about the local flowers, plants and trees and it takes you to the Vanilla Garden, Herb Garden, Sugar Mill Garden and the Greenhouse. The Belmont’s Farm Tour is an outstanding full tour for those are keen to know about organic farming in the Caribbean taking you around all the corners of the Estate and give you an insight into their organic program.
Which one would I choose? I think the order would be the Bean to Bar Tour, Tropical Garden, Belmont’s Farm Tour and the Classic Tour. I want to see everything on the “Spice Isle”, this little island of the Caribbean. Gladly, I can support their local community by purchasing some local art crafts in their gift shop or at the Craft Co-operative.
I really like the philosophy of Belmont Estate that they thrive to create and sustain an agritourism product using green best practices and ethical gardening methods also emphasizing the relationship and responsibility on the local community.
Grenada can offer various eco-friendly accommodations so check out Mount Cinnamon, Spice Island Beach Resort, True Blue Bay Resort and Crayfish Bay Organic Farm, which provide self-catering accommodation.
P.S. – Want to go on a custom designed eco-friendly and sustainable tour anywhere in the world? I’m happy to book your full or partial trip! I’ll be offering you to my favorite hotels or resorts, restaurants, attractions, bars, and natural wonders you won’t find in any guidebook. If you’re interested, subscribe to my newsletter for updates or contact me now.
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