Twenty years have passed since

Santiago Peralta

(Cuenca, Ecuador, 1971)

and his wife, Carla Barbotó

, launched themselves into a challenge that today seems simple, but never was: for

Pacari to be considered the best chocolate in the world.

With the help of farmers who work hand in hand with this couple of entrepreneurs and exceptional cacao, that dream is now a reality that has radically transformed the industry, offering

organic, biodynamic and fair trade chocolates.

"Chocolates are for me like my children", explains Peralta moments before carrying out a chocolate tasting in the heart of Madrid.

"

When others only see chocolate, I see more of a process.

Having tried flavors and seeing that some didn't work has been part of that journey."

At present, Pacari (also known in the rest of the world as Paccari)

has been praised by Spanish chefs such as Martín Berasategui or Paco Pérez;

by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey

(surrendered to its Lemongrass flavour) and deserving of global consumer attention with outlets located across half the planet.

ORGANIC CHOCOLATE

A success that this businessman who studied German philosophers, practiced as a lawyer in Lisbon and who travels constantly explaining his project enjoys daily.

He will despite who weighs him.

"The chocolate Pacari makes is organic. Some think it's expensive, but

please eat organic and don't eat poison. It doesn't make sense for us to give money to those who want to destroy our health

," he explains with a serious voice.

A depth charge against a chocolate industry that did not welcome the fact that

Pacari was the only company in the world that worked with biodynamic cocoa.

This, together with the fact that its raw material, cocoa, comes from direct trade, has led to

this company being studied at Harvard and thousands of farmers enjoying previously known economic stability.

"Poverty bothers me. I've seen it up close and how it affects people," says Santiago as he recalls what life was like for him in the countryside as a child.

For this reason, among the decisions made by his company was

paying farmers triple what was established and integrating women into jobs

previously considered only for men.

Pacari's commitment to the environment and a high percentage of cocoa translates into

premium flavors that combine ingredients such as flowers, fruits, herbs, or coffee.

"That the Swiss sold chocolates in which the majority of its components are milk, fat or sugar made nobody think how to change that," she adds.

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POINTS OF SALE

In addition to Emirates first class flights, Pacari has its own stores in different parts of the world.

In Spain, El Corte Inglés has exclusive gift packs with different flavors of this brand.

"I like people to evoke places where they have been when they try our chocolates. A pleasant and unique moment that makes an impact. Chocolate favors that trip," confesses this businessman.

"Pacari has put cocoa from Ecuador on everyone's lips

," explains Santiago Peralta.

"We wanted to give an added flavor to that. Our proposal goes through the curiosity of looking for flavors."

For this reason,

the 400 awards (and those that remain) that it has won over the years have led rival brands to change their advertising and stop saying that they produce 'the best chocolate in the world'

.

As happened to Nestlé, I cannot resist the push of the prizes won by Pacari.

Regarding the well-deserved awards, Santiago explains that success is not his

.

"Companies can be positive for the world. At

Pacari we almost went bankrupt twice until today, when we received those awards and can share them with the families that work with us."

Regarding Spain, Santiago Peralta speaks wonders: "

I like places where I feel comfortable and everything flows, where I feel the trust of the people. Like Spain.

And, for the brand, Pacari has become the only Latin American company present in El Corte Inglés. That's something big".

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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