Darkroom | Norandino | Peru 70%

Darkroom Chocolate is a bean to bar operation based in North Walsham, Norfolk. Mike and Natalie are proper purists, making all their products from only precision roasted Cacao and sugar. It's nerdy on the same level as our thing, all about the curation of raw ingredients and getting the best possible representation of diverse flavours on the palate.

I've tried to poke holes in the supply chain and struggled, there's good traceability and sustainable buying practices across the board. We can't fault their approach to business either, it's like ours - buy sacks, roast them, pack them, sell them, buy slightly more sacks, repeat. It's all about independent business providing the best quality produce to independent businesses, and proving that it's possible to build something special without compromise.



The producer/exporter:

Cooperativa Norandino

Cooperativa Norandino, based in the Piura region of Peru, is a cooperative of cocoa farmers committed to ethical and sustainable production. The cooperative works with smallholder farmers who grow cocoa under Fairtrade and organic certifications, ensuring adherence to strict social and environmental standards. These certifications provide minimum prices and additional premiums that benefit farmers directly, giving them more stability and access to higher-value international markets.

Norandino pays farmers significantly above the average market rate — reportedly around 140% of the market price — helping improve livelihoods and support local communities. While exact figures for individual farmer earnings are not regularly disclosed, the cooperative’s transparent structure demonstrates a clear commitment to ethical sourcing.

The co-operative has also invested in local processing infrastructure, allowing farmers to add value to their cocoa before export. This approach enhances income, strengthens control over the supply chain, and empowers farmers to capture more of the benefits of their production.

For this lot the co-op sources cocoa from smallholder farmers in the Amazonas region of Peru, primarily along the Marañón and Utcubamba rivers in the provinces of Bagua and Utcubamba. Farmers typically manage around three hectares each, growing cocoa alongside coffee and sugarcane, and all producers are Fairtrade and organic certified. The cooperative provides ongoing technical support covering crop management, organic practices, quality control, and compliance with international certifications. Recently, higher cocoa prices have encouraged farmers to expand production, improve farms, and return to previously abandoned plots, strengthening both yields and livelihoods in the region.

• All packaging is recyclable with paper and card