Take a Sweet Escape at Maui Chocolate Tour’s Newest Experience

Discover how cacao grows, sample Maui-made chocolate and enjoy a scenic lunch overlooking the orchards.

Dark chocolate melts on my tongue as I stand in the shade of the orchards at Maui Ku‘ia Estate Cacao Farm, grateful for the brief reprieve from the infamous Lahaina sun. I feel as close as I can get to savoring chocolate straight from the source.

I’m here for the Maui Chocolate Tour’s newest offering: the Cacao Farm Tour and Treehouse Lunch. The experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at farming cacao in Hawaiʻi, an elevated treehouse lunch overlooking the orchards and, of course, a decadent tasting of nine varieties of the estate’s chocolates.

To begin the experience, our knowledgeable guide first walks us through the life cycle of cacao, from planting to processing. We see “the food of the gods” in every stage of its growth, and when we’re handed a finished chocolate square as a tangible example of the farm’s work, the gold-foiled wrapper reads, “Grown & Made in Maui.”

Under these strong Lahaina sun, Maui Ku‘ia Estate Cacao Farm is cultivating nearly 7,000 cacao trees across 20 acres of farmland. // Photo courtesy of Maui Chocolate Tour

Participants eagerly tear it open to reach the sweet treat within. Most of my group is a couple generations older than me, and it’s heartwarming to watch their inner children come out to play as they savor that first bite.

We follow our guide deeper into the orchard, passing through a massive wooden door that makes me feel like I’m stepping into a fantasy realm. Rows of trees open to a neatly arranged presentation of cacao in each stage of becoming chocolate: raw, fermented, roasted and cocoa butter.

Another highlight comes when our guide cracks open a fresh cacao pod. Those who are curious pluck out a seed and pop it in their mouths. It’s sweet, a little slimy, and tastes nothing like chocolate—but delicious, even if the texture is unusual.

Guests can enjoy a decadent tasting of the estate’s chocolates. // Photos courtesy of Maui Chocolate Tour

To cleanse our palates, we’re offered another chocolate square, this time infused with blood orange. It quickly becomes the group favorite, surpassing the dark and dark-milk varieties we tasted earlier. I’m familiar with Maui Ku‘ia chocolate, so I already know my personal pick: the orange-mango-guava (aka OMG).

From here, we ascend into the beautiful wooden treehouse.

At the top, the open-air veranda offers gorgeous views of Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i, accented by natural wood details and—most importantly in the midday heat—shaded seating. There’s enough space for 20 guests, but with five tables and five other groups in attendance, I opt to sit with our guide to get more context about the estate and enjoy a bit of extra conversation.

The open-air veranda offers gorgeous views of Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. // Photo courtesy of Maui Chocolate Tour

Lunch is catered by Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop. I’m grateful they’re able to accommodate my dietary needs with a lettuce-wrapped sandwich packed with roast beef and fresh vegetables. Sides of salad and juicy Maui Gold pineapple round out the meal.

Before we leave, our guide gifts us each a Maui Chocolate Tour tote bag with another pouch of chocolate squares to take home—or snack on during the ride back. We pile into the air-conditioned van that brought us to the orchard and return to the Maui Kuʻia Chocolate Estate, where our tour began.

Afterward, guests can extend their experience by grabbing drinks or baked goods from the on-site café or trying a chocolate tasting flight with drink pairings and live music if you visit around sunset on Sundays in the upstairs lounge. You can also sign up for a tour of the chocolate factory to go even deeper into the production process with owner and chocolatier Gunars Valkirs.

The Maui Chocolate Tour & Treehouse Lunch is offered Tuesdays through Thursdays with the two-hour tour starting at noon. Other tours include the Guided Cacao Farm Tour, Chocolate Factory Experience, and a package that includes both.

Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate, 78 Ulupono St, Lahaina, 844-844-5842, mauichocolate.com

Lead image courtesy of Maui Chocolate Tour