From jungle to bar — the British way.

From Devon, UK

Made in Devon

Locally produced within a specific region.

All Natural

Made with clean, natural ingredients.

Ethically Sourced

Fair trade and responsible sourcing.

Bean to Bar

Directly from farms or growers to bar.

"Willie’s Cacao is a celebration of pure, single-estate chocolate — crafted from the world’s finest cacao, roasted and refined in small batches to capture its true character."

– Willie Harcourt-Cooze 

PERSPECTIVE

Why we love Willies Cacao

We love Willie’s Cacao because it’s chocolate made the hard way — and the right way.

Willie’s devotion to bean-to-bar purity makes him a pioneer of British craft chocolate. Long before “ethical” and “small batch” became buzzwords, he was hand-selecting farms, importing his own cacao, and roasting it in Devon with obsessive care.

This is chocolate made by a man who fell in love with flavour and built a life around it — and that passion comes through in every square.

Meet the founders

In the 1990s, adventurer and chocolate-maker Willie Harcourt-Cooze bought a cacao farm in Venezuela and began his lifelong pursuit of flavour. That journey led him to create Willie’s Cacao — one of the first true bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Britain.

Today, from his factory in Devon, Willie roasts and refines cacao from the world’s best single estates, turning them into pure chocolate that captures the soul of each origin. His passion for terroir and traditional craft has earned him a cult following among chefs, makers, and chocolate lovers alike.
At Willie’s Cacao, everything starts with respect — for the land, for the farmers, and for the bean.

Willie's Cacao – Hot Chocolate
Willie's Cacao – Hot Chocolate

FEATURED PRODUCT

Willie's Cacao – Hot Chocolate

A rich, velvety hot chocolate made from single-estate cacao — crafted by Willie’s Cacao for the smoothest, most indulgent cup.

£9.00
 
£9.00
 

The Willies Cacao story

Every bar from Willie’s Cacao begins at origin. Founder Willie Harcourt-Cooze has spent decades building direct relationships with small cacao farmers around the world — from Venezuela to Madagascar — to source the most exceptional beans on the planet.

Back in Devon, those beans are roasted, conched, and crafted in small batches using traditional techniques. There are no shortcuts, no additives, and no compromise — just real chocolate, made from just two ingredients: cacao and raw cane sugar.

The result is chocolate that tells a story — bold, complex, and true to its origin. Whether it’s the fruity depth of Rio Caribe 72% or the silky smoothness of Milk of the Gods, every bar is a masterclass in flavour and craftsmanship.

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How we curate our independent makers
At The Local, every maker we feature has been handpicked — not just for what they make, but how they make it. From the first sketch of a label to the last pour of a bottle, we look for craft, care, and a sense of place that’s unmistakably local. Our curation process champions independent creators who share our principles of quality, sustainability, and community — so when you buy from The Local, you know it’s the real deal.
Learn more about our curation process →

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