Organization:
Zoen Chocolate & El Castillo del Cacao
Short biography:
In 2004 I established El Castillo del Cacao s.a., a small chocolate factory in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The company sells chocolate bars throughout Nicaragua and Central America. In Sri Lanka
I established Hansa Coffee, a premium national coffee brand. In the Netherlands I have recently established ZOEN Chocolate, a bean to bar chocolate shop, where great freshly milled chocolate is sold and the process can be witnessed and learned.
Currently I give expert advice and training in small scale chocolate and coffee production, both in technology and marketing.
I specialize in training of farmer groups and individuals in processing cacao to chocolate in cacao producing countries.
Received and MA in Anthropology at Leiden University. At the same time owned a handicraft business importing from Asia and Africa. Worked in Ethiopia for the United Nations Capital Development Fund in different sustainability projects in the Amhara Region 1998-2001. Worked 2 years as Program Manager for the World Food Program in El Salvador 2001-2003.