KORITA was named by Christina & Attilio jokingly one night, infusing their Korean & Italian culture with their values for family, friends, and quality. They wanted to pair ingredients with stories, with chocolate as a canvas, direct trade single origin bean to bar chocolate. It was later on they learned that it means “sprouted, or budded” and “ground down” in Sanskrit (कोरित) . It was the perfect name to encompass all their dreams into their chocolate.

How it all started: They met at a farmer’s market in Washington DC in 2021. Christina was an artisanal bean to bar chocolate maker (Secret Cacao Garden), Attilio was an Italian wine expert. Their meeting was fate, as neither had planned to be there that day. Christina didn’t even know about wine. But one bite of Christina’s 90% Ecuadorian chocolate ( she always carried chocolate in her pocket), and one sip of Attilio’s recommended Primitivo, led them into a delicious journey of joy, endless creations, and life. They excitedly discussed dishes from their motherland, and many chocolate creations began. Fast forward to their wedding, their friend and mentor, Mateo of Prophecy Chocolate offered to produce their chocolates due to their limited time and production space. The next year, they decided to create KORITA to always stay connected with their cultures and to learn about new ones through agriculture and people. Excited to share with their friends and community, and with their own baby on the way, Mateo teamed up with them again to produce a Christmas batch. Now they wish to share their divine creations with the world.

Korita Chocolates works with small transparent trade cacao companies and farms. Christina visited Kemito Ene Ashaninka Cacao Producers in 2019 with Peruvian supply chain Collective Bean, where she fell in love with the people and wanted to support the producers by telling their stories and sharing their products. In Washington DC, she started chocolate making workshops and making artisanal cacao products to teach others about cacao’s health benefits, social justice issues, and spiritual roots. Today, Christina and Attilio have expanded their portfolio to include transparent cacao farms from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Belize, as well as small family farms in Italy and US to source pure ingredients. Plans for Korean herbs and plants are coming soon!

Cacao is a superfood, aptly named Theobroma Cacao or Food of the Gods. One of the oldest ceremonial plants in the world that still exists today to heal the heart and celebrate life. It is still used as currency in some parts of the world today. It has some of the world’s most powerful nutrients packed into a tiny seed, more antioxidants than red wine, and a bliss molecule called anandamide:

• Cacao's flavonols and theobromine may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cacao also contains potassium and zinc, which help maintain strong blood vessels. Cacao's flavanols may improve cognitive function and protect against age-related decline. A 2018 study found that older adults who consumed cacao flavanols had improved cognitive function. Studies have shown that consuming cacao daily can significantly lower blood pressure,  balance free radicals and antioxidants, which can boost the immune system. Cacao nibs contain fiber and antioxidants that beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract ferment, which can aid in digestion and reduce the risk of digestive issue. It also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the brain uses to produce serotonin, a feel-good chemical that can increase feelings of happiness. It is rich in magnesium, which can help relax and heal muscles, fight acid buildup, neutralize toxins, and calm sensitivity to pain.

Now partnering with Heirloom Cacao Preservation with our Wild Bolivia Tranquilidad Chocolates