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About Us
Together 100% regenerative
COMPANY
Speak What's True.
Eat What's Pure.
Preserve What's Rare.
Since 2008, we have ventured into remote rainforests to source the world’s rarest & fairest cacao beans and transform the cultures of chocolate, food and luxury. Today, we lead Europe's craft chocolate movement as a pioneer for regenerative business practices.
That may sound like a not-so-humble humblebrag. But we’re miles away from our larger goal of creating a food culture that regenerates our world. In the meantime we promise that our chocolate will be the most delicious experience you’ll have fighting for the environment, its caretakers and inhabitants.
MISSION
Together 100% Regenerative
Our story of marrying chocolate and conservation may seem complicated but it’s actually quite simple. We make some of the world’s best chocolate from the rarest & fairest cacao beans around, and preserve these beans and their forest environments for future chocolate lovers. We’ve won all the major taste awards, are a favourite of top chefs, and have streamlined every aspect of our business to be people and planet positive.
On our own we grow a regenerative business. Together, let's regenerate what we consume. Together 100% regenerative.
On our own we grow a regenerative business. Together, let's regenerate what we consume. Together 100% regenerative.
FOUNDER
Sustainability in the 7th Generation
Original Beans was born in 2008 and conceived in 1795. Back then, our founder Philipp’s forefather wrote a book on forests. In it he advised to take care of forests for future generations. He called this concept "Nachhaltigkeit" ("sustainability''). Had we only listened to such good advice.
Fast forward 213 years and our company founder Philipp listened. He left his job at the United Nations and started a business that would soon become one of the world's first climate-positive companies offering something deliciously simple: amazing chocolate.
Fast forward 213 years and our company founder Philipp listened. He left his job at the United Nations and started a business that would soon become one of the world's first climate-positive companies offering something deliciously simple: amazing chocolate.
FOUNDER
Sustainability in the 7th Generation
Original Beans was born in 2008 and conceived in 1795. Back then, our founder Philipp’s forefather grandfather wrote a book on forests. In it he advised to take care of forests for future generations. He called this concept "Nachhaltigkeit" ("sustainability''). Had we only listened to such good advice.
Fast forward 213 years and our company founder Philipp listened. He left his job at the United Nations and started a business that would soon become one of the world's first climate-positive companies offering something deliciously simple: amazing chocolate.
Fast forward 213 years and our company founder Philipp listened. He left his job at the United Nations and started a business that would soon become one of the world's first climate-positive companies offering something deliciously simple: amazing chocolate.
Our story
Timeline
First Beans
2008
From the ground up,
we build our first cacao origins and source beans from Virunga, Piura and Beni.
we build our first cacao origins and source beans from Virunga, Piura and Beni.
First Recipes
2009
We develop the first recipes in Original Beans style: a vivid dark 66%, a caramelly 42% milk and a full-bodied dark 70%.
One Bar : One Tree
2010
We launch the world’s first one4one tree programme, still going strong today and growing millions of trees in the cacao origins.
Compostable
2013
After 18 months of pioneer work with our packaging experts, we present the chocolate industry’s first compostable foil wrapper on our 70g bars.
Climate-Positive
2015
We commission the chocolate industry’s first carbon balance which concludes that all Original Beans chocolates are CO2 negative and heal not steal the earth’s climate.
Chocolate Foodprint
2017
Together with a PWC sustainability team we design the world’s first Chocolate Foodprint and publish the first edition at the end of that year.
Craft Cacao
2020
We write the world’s first craft cacao standard and apply it to our eight beans. We offer “Craft Cacao by Original Beans” accredited beans to other chocolate makers.
Ocelot Chocolate
2022
We rescue Ocelot chocolate and restart it together with the founders Matt and Ish.
Ranked World's No.1
Most Sustainable
Most Sustainable
2023
Original Beans ranks first on independent sustainability Chocolate Scorecard 2023 and receives “Good Egg” industry leader award.
THE BEAN TEAM
Together, We Regenerate What We consume.
When people call us “cacao hunters”, it conjures exciting, dangerous adventures in dark forests in search of rare bean treasures. Like the film version of a book, this is partially accurate, but misses the less cinematic, but most important trait of our trade: regeneration.
Unlike other chocolate companies who go in, buy what they need and then leave, our Bean Team stays. From the first meeting in a dusty village square to the moment when the growers are awarded “Craft Cacao by Original Beans” certification, we are in it with - and for - our partners in cacao.
From our community
Makers, Growers & Allies
"A company that's keeping the promise of regeneration. And with the Chocolate Foodprint, they provide hard data."
Paul Hawken
Environmentalist, entrepreneur, author and activist, US
"Original Beans supports some of the poorest and most vulnerable people, especially women."
Justine Greening
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE, UK
"The support of Original Beans to rescue our native cacao types and wood species is crucial to preserve the diversity of our forests."
Wiliam Carlosma
Chachi Leader
Esmeraldas, Ecuador
“We have worked from the ground up to shape a regenerative cacao culture in this region.”
Hilde de Beule
Bean Team Leader,
DR Congo, Africa
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