The Best Chocolate Festival in the Caribbean: Grenada 2025
If you love chocolate (and letâs be honest, who doesnât?), then Grenada Chocolate Festival 2025 is your dream getaway. From May 22 to May 27, the âSpice Islandâ transforms into a paradise for chocolate lovers, offering an indulgent mix of farm-to-bar experiences, tastings, and hands-on workshops. Imagine sinking your teeth into some of the worldâs purest, most flavorful chocolateâall while surrounded by lush cocoa farms and the sparkling Caribbean Sea.
Whether youâre a foodie, a traveler, or someone who simply canât resist a good chocolate bar, this festival is more than just an eventâitâs an experience.
Why Grenada is the Ultimate Chocolate Destination
Grenada isnât just another stop on the chocolate mapâitâs one of the few places in the world where chocolate is still made the old-fashioned way, from tree to bar. Thanks to its rich volcanic soil and ideal climate, the island produces some of the finest organic and ethically sourced cocoa. And hereâs the best part: you can taste it fresh from the source.
The festival was created to celebrate this bean-to-bar magic, connecting visitors with the passionate farmers, chocolatiers, and artisans behind Grenadaâs world-renowned chocolate.
The Story Behind Grenada Chocolate Festival
It all started with a simple but powerful idea: celebrate Grenadaâs world-class chocolate and the passionate people who make it. Founded in 2014, the Grenada Chocolate Festival was created to honor the islandâs thriving tree-to-bar movement, bringing together farmers, chocolatiers, chefs, and chocolate lovers from around the world.
Grenada has long been known for its high-quality, organic cocoa, grown in the islandâs rich volcanic soil. But in the early 2000s, local chocolate makers, like Grenada Chocolate Company, pioneered a movement toward bean-to-bar artisanal chocolate, producing small-batch, ethically sourced chocolate using sustainable farming practices.
The festival was born out of this commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. What started as a small gathering of chocolate enthusiasts has now become an internationally recognized event, attracting food lovers, wellness seekers, and ethical travelers eager to experience Grenadaâs chocolate culture firsthand.
Now, every May, the festival showcases cocoa farm tours, chocolate-making workshops, tastings, and culinary experiences, while also emphasizing eco-conscious farming, fair trade practices, and community empowerment.
From the fields of Belmont Estate to the chocolate bars at Jouvay and Crayfish Bay, the festival tells a story of dedication, tradition, and passionâone that you can taste in every bite of Grenadian chocolate.
What to Expect at Grenada Chocolate Festival 2025
Over six days, youâll explore Grenadaâs deep-rooted cocoa culture, taste award-winning chocolates, and even get your hands dirty crafting your own bar. Hereâs a sneak peek at whatâs in store:
â1. Tree-to-Bar Chocolate Tours â Walk the Cocoa Trail
Ever wondered where chocolate really comes from? At Grenada Chocolate Festival, you donât just eat itâyou experience it from the ground up. Walking through Grenadaâs lush cocoa farms, youâll meet the farmers who have dedicated their lives to growing, harvesting, and crafting chocolate the traditional way.
At Belmont Estate, youâll see centuries-old cocoa trees, taste the pulp straight from a freshly cracked cacao pod, and watch as beans are fermented, dried, and roasted. Over at Crayfish Bay Organic Farm, Kim and Lylette Russell will show you how they handcraft their own chocolate, all while sharing stories of sustainable farming and ethical cocoa production.
The best part? Youâll grind your own nibs and make a bar with your own hands. Thereâs something magical about tasting chocolate right where itâs made, surrounded by nothing but nature and the rich scent of cocoa drying in the sun.
2. Chocolate Tastings & Pairings â Elevate Your Tastebuds
Think all chocolate tastes the same? Not in Grenada. Here, chocolate is a work of art, made in small batches with organic, locally grown cocoa beans. Tasting sessions at the festival will introduce you to flavors youâve never experienced beforeâsome fruity, some nutty, some with just the right hint of Grenadian spice.
But hereâs where it gets even better: the pairings. Imagine:
đˇ A square of bold 80% dark chocolate melting on your tongue, followed by a sip of smooth organic red wine.
đĽ A bite of sea salt chocolate, chased with a splash of aged Grenadian rumâthe contrast of sweet and smoky is unreal.
â A rich, creamy milk chocolate, perfectly balanced with freshly brewed Grenadian coffee.
If youâve never really paid attention to how chocolate should taste, this festival will change everything.
3. Chocolate Wellness & Spa Treatments â Indulge Your Body & Soul
Okay, chocolate is deliciousâbut did you know itâs also amazing for your skin and soul? At Grenada Chocolate Festival, you can go beyond eating and dive into chocolate-infused wellness experiences that will leave you feeling refreshed and glowing.
Picture this: youâre lying on a spa table at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, covered in a warm, silky cocoa butter mask, while the scent of chocolate fills the air. Or maybe youâre soaking in a coconut and cocoa bath, letting antioxidants work their magic on your skin.
And if thatâs not enough, chocolate yoga is a thing hereâimagine stretching under the Caribbean sun, surrounded by the aroma of cocoa beans roasting nearby. This is chocolate therapy at its finest!
4. Cocoa-Inspired Cuisine â A Flavor Adventure
Chocolate and food? A dream team. But this isnât just about dessertsâat Grenada Chocolate Festival, chefs take cocoa to the next level, using it in dishes youâd never expect.
Imagine sitting down for dinner and being served:
đ Cocoa-rubbed jerk chicken with a spicy-sweet kick.
đĽ A fresh island salad, drizzled with a light cacao vinaigrette.
đ° Dark chocolate lava cake, so rich it practically melts on the plate.
đ¸ And the grand finale? A Chocolate Martini, blended with Caribbean rum and a dash of cinnamon.
Every meal at this festival is an adventure for your tastebuds. Forget what you thought you knew about chocolateâitâs not just for dessert anymore.
5. Culture & Island Adventures â More Than Just Chocolate
Sure, chocolate is the main eventâbut Grenada is so much more. Between tastings and workshops, youâll have time to explore the island, soak in the culture, and go on unforgettable adventures.
Join a drumming and storytelling session with local musicians and hear the rhythms of Grenadaâs African heritage. Take a boat ride to a hidden beach, where a chocolate picnic awaits under the shade of a palm tree. Or, if youâre up for it, hike through Grand Etang National Park and cool off in Seven Sisters Waterfallsâa jungle paradise.
At the end of the day, youâll realize this festival isnât just about chocolateâitâs about the island, the people, and the stories behind every bite. And that? Thatâs what makes Grenada Chocolate Festival truly unforgettable.
Tips for the Best Experience
â Start Your Morning with Cocoa Tea â Forget your usual coffee! Grenadaâs spiced cocoa tea, made with locally grown cocoa and nutmeg, is rich, comforting, and the perfect way to start your festival day.
â Buy Chocolate Straight from the Source â Skip the airport souvenirs! The best chocolate bars come fresh from the farmsâgrab some from Jouvay, Belmont Estate, or Crayfish Bay to take a piece of Grenada home.
â Wear Comfortable Shoes â Cocoa farms arenât paved streets! Expect muddy trails, uneven ground, and a lot of walkingâso ditch the flip-flops and wear sneakers or hiking sandals for the best experience.
â Mix Chocolate with Adventure â Between tastings, hike to Seven Sisters Waterfalls, explore Grand Etangâs rainforest, or take a sunset catamaran cruiseâGrenadaâs beauty is just as indulgent as its chocolate.
â Take a Chocolate-Making Workshop â Eating chocolate is great, but making your own bar from scratch? Even better. Hands-on workshops let you grind your own nibs, temper chocolate, and craft your perfect bar.
â Stay Late for the Chocolate Cocktail Night â The festivalâs best-kept secret? Chocolate-infused cocktails. Sip on cocoa martinis and rum-spiked hot chocolate while dancing under the stars at one of the festivalâs after-hours parties.
â Talk to the Farmers & Chocolatiers â The real magic isnât just in the chocolateâitâs in the stories behind it. Chat with the locals and learn why Grenadian chocolate is truly one of a kind.
â Book Your Stay Early â The festival is small but popular, and hotels near the main events fill up fast. If you want the best views, best beaches, and best chocolate, reserve your spot now!
âJoin the Celebration!
Grenada Chocolate Festival 2025 isnât just about chocolateâitâs about connecting with the island, its people, and the rich traditions behind every bite. Itâs the kind of experience that makes you fall even deeper in love with chocolate (if thatâs even possible).
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, bring your sweet tooth, and get ready for the most delicious adventure of your life.â