Mindo Chocolate Makers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Barbara Wilson; Joseph Meza |
| Headquarters | Dexter, Michigan, United States |
| Products | Bean‑to‑bar chocolate |
| Website | mindochocolate |
Mindo Chocolate Makers is a woman‑owned bean‑to‑bar chocolate company founded in 2009 by Barbara Wilson (current owner) and Joseph Meza, based in Dexter, Michigan, with sourcing operations in Mindo, Ecuador. The company is known for sourcing some of the finest Nacional heirloom cacao beans and has received international recognition for its ethical sourcing and award-winning chocolate products.[1]
History
Mindo Chocolate Makers began in Barbara Wilson's home in Dexter, Michigan. The original chocolate tour and cacao sourcing were established in Mindo, Ecuador, through their sister company, El Quetzal de Mindo.[2] In 2021, Mindo opened a second retail location in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor, which received regional media coverage.[3] WEMU, an NPR affiliate, profiled the company's growth from a home operation into a Michigan chocolate destination.[4]
Awards
Mindo Chocolate Makers has earned numerous honors from the International Chocolate Awards and the Ecuador Chocolate Awards.[5]
Products
Their most awarded products include:
- 77% Cardamom Bar – Gold, Ecuador Chocolate Awards
- Apricot Cardamom – Silver, International Chocolate Awards
- 100% Drinking Chocolate – Bronze, International Chocolate Awards
All bars are made with heirloom Nacional cacao and minimal ingredients.
Sourcing and Sustainability
Mindo sources the finest organic Nacional cacao beans directly from farmers using regenerative agriculture practices. Their efforts to preserve rare cacao genetics have been featured in national outlets.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Crafting Flavor, Cultivating Change: Mindo Chocolate Makers Focuses on Ethical Indulgence in Ecuador and Michigan". Forbes. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Discover Our Story". Mindo Chocolate Makers. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Mindo Chocolate Makers Brings Bean-to-Bar Ecuadorian Chocolate to Ann Arbor". ClickOnDetroit. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Hidden In Plain Sight: Mindo Chocolate Makers In Dexter". WEMU. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Our Awards". Mindo Chocolate Makers. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Brandes, Heide (September 2023). "The Quest to Save the World's Most Coveted Chocolate". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-16.