Founded in 2016, One One Cacao is a premium chocolate maker based in Jamaica, a company that celebrates the art and science of craft chocolate. Specializing in single-origin, bean-to-bar chocolates, One One Cacao is committed to sustainable farming practices and the empowerment of local cocoa farmers. The name “One One Cacao” comes from the Jamaican proverb, “One, one cocoa full basket,” symbolizing the belief in steady, meaningful progress and the value of hard work. By sourcing directly from 60 smallholder farmers and collectives across four rural parishes—St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, and Clarendon—One One ensures quality while supporting Jamaica’s most underserved communities. These farmers practice agroforestry, intercropping cocoa with crops like coffee, plantains, and yams, fostering biodiversity and sustainable land use. To incentivize cocoa production, One One Cacao pays above-market prices—at times nearly double the global average—directly impacting the livelihoods of local farmers. Visitors to Jamaica can experience the magic of chocolate firsthand through One One Cacao’s guided farm tours and workshops, which feature visits to local cocoa farms to learn about cultivation practices, hands-on chocolate-making sessions at their factory, “The Cookshop,” and tastings of their signature single-origin and flavored chocolate bars paired with Jamaican rum or Blue Mountain coffee.
The One One Cacao Origin Story
Nick Davis’s journey to founding One One Cacao was shaped by his curiosity, a love of storytelling, and a serendipitous encounter with a visionary chocolate maker. .
Born in the UK to Jamaican parents, Nick’s career began as a journalist and BBC foreign correspondent. His final posting brought him to Jamaica, where his parents’ homeland became a canvas for personal and professional exploration. In 2011, while reporting on sustainable businesses in the Caribbean, Nick was introduced to Mott Green, a pioneering figure in the craft chocolate world. Green, an American entrepreneur and environmentalist, co-founded the Grenada Chocolate Company, one of the first bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the world. His vision was revolutionary: instead of exporting raw cocoa beans, farmers could create value at origin by producing high-quality chocolate themselves. The Grenada Chocolate Company operated entirely off-grid, using solar energy and sustainable farming practices, and became a model for small-scale, ethical chocolate production. Nick was captivated by Mott’s passion and ingenuity. At the end of their interview, Nick asked how he could replicate the model in Jamaica. Mott’s response was simple but profound: “Just do it. If you’re inspired, start looking into it.” This conversation planted a seed that would eventually grow into One One Cacao. Years later, a personal turning point pushed Nick to take the leap.
After developing a severe food allergy, he found himself unable to enjoy many of the processed foods he once loved, including chocolate. Frustrated by the lack of high-quality options, Nick decided to make his own. His first batch—a hand-milled, rough-textured dark chocolate—was an eye-opening experience. The richness of the flavors and the simplicity of the process ignited his fascination with cacao and its transformative potential.
Nick’s partner, Marta Lamolla, also brought her wealth of tourism and hospitality experience to the endeavor. Originally from Spain, Marta had moved to Jamaica during its tourism boom and worked in roles ranging from dive operations to hotel management. Together, Nick and Marta saw an opportunity to combine their skills in storytelling, education, and tourism with the craft of chocolate making.
How One One Cacao Is Making A Positive Impact
At the heart of One One Cacao’s philosophy is a commitment to making a positive impact—economically, environmentally, and socially.
By working directly with smallholder farmers, One One Cacao ensures that its chocolates not only showcase Jamaica’s exceptional cacao but also empower the people behind it. One One Cacao sources its beans from 60 farmers across underserved parishes like St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, and Clarendon. These farmers employ agroforestry methods, planting cacao alongside crops like coffee and plantains, which promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and create more resilient ecosystems.
One One Cacao goes further by paying farmers above-market prices—at times often double the global rate. This incentivizes continued cocoa production on the island, provides a stable income for farming communities, and underscores the company’s commitment to creating value at origin. These partnerships transform what is often seen as a low-margin, export-driven industry into one where farmers are directly supported and acknowledged for their work.
In addition to its economic impact, One One Cacao invests in education and cultural exchange through its immersive tourism offerings. Visitors are invited to tour cocoa farms, engage in hands-on workshops, and learn about the entire bean-to-bar process. These experiences go beyond simple tourism; they foster understanding and appreciation for the hard work, skill, and artistry involved in chocolate making and food in general. For many visitors, tasting One One Cacao’s single-origin chocolate while standing on the land where it was grown is a transformative experience.
It’s such a simple thing to remove locals from the story, with the illusion of expertise only occurring once the raw materials are exported. When people see generations of knowledge in a country producing exceptional chocolate, it changes not only perceptions but the entire value chain.
The company also focuses on environmental sustainability, minimizing waste and prioritizing renewable practices in every stage of production. For instance, “The Cookshop,” their factory in St. Mary, operates with a focus on efficiency and low-impact production methods.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, One One Cacao’s pivot to virtual tours highlighted its adaptability and reach. By hosting online chocolate experiences through Airbnb, the company not only sustained its operations but also shared the story of Jamaican cacao with a global audience. This approach connected thousands of people to the company’s mission and helped elevate Jamaica’s reputation as a leader in craft chocolate. The product was chosen by Conde Nast Travel as one of the top online experiences globally.
How You Can Support One One Cacao
You can support One One Cacao by purchasing their artisanal single-origin chocolate bars, crafted with premium Jamaican cacao and locally sourced ingredients, directly contributing to sustainable farming and the livelihoods of local farmers. For those visiting Jamaica, their guided tours and workshops offer a hands-on exploration of the bean-to-bar process, while virtual chocolate tours provide an engaging way to connect with their story from anywhere in the world. By enjoying their chocolate or sharing their mission, you help elevate Jamaican cacao globally, empower smallholder farmers, and promote sustainability in craft chocolate production.
