We have traveled to the Java ferry, which was quite boring and tiring when suddenly felt this smell! The beautiful smell of just prepared hot chocolate!
First time in my life I found out that chocolate - not cacao, but thick, hot black, milk, white chocolate- could be drunk with enjoyment even without sugar!
There are only two people in this museum: nice and smiling guy and a girl. They told us that this museum is made to help farmers who grow and process cacao beans. The final product is then transported to the factory in Tamberang (Java) and all money collected by the museum goes to support private farmers.
The museum exposition is simple but has a lot of interesting facts. We find out that Indonesia is on the second place among world producers of chocolate in the world, right after famous Côte d’Ivoire! We also got to know that cacao beans had always grown on Bali in the wild; when Dutchmen invaded Bali, they started to cultivate them and produce chocolate.
After becoming aquatinted with all the cycle of chocolate production, its variety of kinds, it is impossible not to try or buy something! Especially taking into account that all those sweet, exotic, ecology-save products are sold at prices that are incomparable to European.
Hot to get to the chocolate museum 'Cocoa Grounds':
By taxi or rented car - approximately 80 km from Denpasar via the mountains or about 200 km by the seaside. Up for me - I prefer the road via mountains: more fascinating and beautiful :)
Depending on their own preferences, it is possible to stay in a budget guesthouse, or in a small hotel in Lovina or even rent a villa there.
Weather and Climate in Singaraja:
Bali has an equatorial climate with an average temperature of 26°C- 32°С. The wettest period is from October till April.
In order to prepare black, milk or any other kind of hot chocolate you can purchase a kilo of cacao powder for about 65000 rupees (4,5 euro).
Travel tips:
If you would like to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate: put 2 and 1/2 spoons of cacao powder in your cup and add about 100ml of boiling milk. Add sugar according to your taste.
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