Bringing an accessible and bold flavor to the cacao world isn’t the only thing Produits Des Iles SA (PISA) is doing. PISA launched their centralized processing facility in 2014, which was a revolutionary change for the way the cacao industry worked in Haiti, offering the first high quality Haitian cacao to the US market. They have been reaching this goal consistently - in the past two years alone chocolate made with PISA cacao has been awarded 10 times including the International Chocolate Awards, Good Food Awards, and the Academy of Chocolate.
Long Term Partnership
We partner with PISA to support systems change and reduce structural inequities in Haiti, while acknowledging that the end goal for economic justice has yet to be met and will require long-term partnership across the chocolate value chain.
The First Central Fermentation
PISA is committed to improving cacao processing and exportation from Haiti. In 2013, PISA launched a revolutionary change in Haiti’s cacao production system by building the first centralized processing facility in the country.
One Island Two Systems
Historically, Haiti has been focused on producing bulk, unfermented cacao as an export commodity. Haiti shares an island with the Dominican Republic (DR), one of the world’s largest producers of high quality organic cacao. The team at PISA, overseen by Aline Etlicher and Fenise Pierre Antoine, envisioned Haiti’s cacao industry developing similarly to the Dominican Republic, despite the political, social, and economic challenges the county has faced.
Supporting Small Scale
Another important goal has been organic certification and PISA currently provides more than 1,000 organic certified smallholder producers access to the specialty cacao market by purchasing wet cacao directly from them at a premium price, centrally fermenting it, and selling it as a higher quality product. PISA supported the formation of the producer association APROCANO, which manages technical assistance and certification programs at PISA.
Ultra Premium Flavor
Working through the many challenges in Haiti, including significant political and social turmoil in 2022, PISA continues their incredible efforts to bring high quality organic Haitian beans to the craft chocolate market with an approachable flavor profile of classic chocolate, almond butter, blackberries, and vanilla cream.
Fantastic for Chocolate Bars
Customers who normally shy away from fruity cacao will enjoy notes of blueberry without being affronted by a harsh acidity, while customers who usually prefer fruity cacao will find an appreciation for what caramel and chocolate flavors can do to accentuate fruity notes in a well balanced bar.
