Hello

My name is Zuzana (Zu) and I am the RIVA CHOCOLATE MAKER.

My chocolate-making journey started in early 2017 upon successful completion of the Chocolate Making from the Bean Program at the Ecole Chocolat Professional School of Chocolate Arts. It gave me a great base of knowledge and led me to making my first homemade batch of chocolate using cocoa beans.

I realized that I would like to be part of that sweet adventure and wanted to see the cacao plant in its natural habitat. The cacao grows only around the equator and with the help of my bean supplier, Juan — from the Mexican Arabica Bean Company, I went to learn post-harvest practices in Comalcalco, Mexico at Hacienda Cacaotera Jesús Maria in 2019.

This experience changed my view of chocolate.

I have treated each cocoa bean with care and respect ever since. My chocolate-making practice is dedicating to honoring the hard work of the people behind each harvest, as well as the long journey to get the beans all the way to my kitchen, and from there to you.