EXPLORING
Cacao & Chocolate

In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, join horticulture section leader Jayton Howard to learn about all things chocolate. What is cacao and where does it come from? When did this plant become so prominent in our diets? How does it grow and what are cacao’s growing needs? As a Hawaii-born cacao professional, Jayton will teach you all this and more, leaving you feeling like an expert.

As part of the cacao experience, you’ll get the chance to taste chocolate in a whole new way — we’ll snack on cacao nibs, feel the benefits of cacao butter on our skin, and see what a fresh cacao pod is like inside and out! We’ll compare delicious chocolates with the taste of raw cacao fruit and develop our palates to a whole level of chocolate appreciation. To celebrate the winter season, we’ll enjoy a hot chocolate tasting sure to warm you up on a chilly day.

Do you want to grow cacao as a house plant? You’ll get the opportunity to plant a fresh cacao bean and watch it emerge into a baby cacao tree in a matter of weeks, equipped with all the knowledge you need to keep it growing.

Fees: Member $35, Non-Member $42

All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to be a Garden for all and we are committed to offering diverse adult learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all learners. If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please contact [email protected] or call 804-262-9887 x328 and we will make our best effort to help.