Story of Cacao101
The Story of Cacao 101
Cacao sweets that started from a picture book
The picture book "Sweet Water's Adventure" was published in July 2022 with the concept of "bringing smiles to children all over the world" and the desire to make the Earth a place filled with love. We wanted to share this picture book with as many people as possible around the world! That desire led to the creation of Cacao101, a specialty cacao sweets store. Cacao101 began with many "encounters": high-quality organic cacao grown in Vietnam, the adorable illustrations from the picture book "Sweet Water's Adventure" by Nobuo Hayashikawa, and chocolate recipes by Kanako Spendlove, the author of the story.
Picture book: The Miracle of Amamizu's Adventure
We first encountered Kanako Spendlove in the winter of 2019, just before the pandemic, at the Wakayama Adventure World show "Magical Christmas," which was themed around love between people and dolphins.
This is where the miracle began. After losing a loved one in a world, I suddenly wished for a dream to create a system that would bring happiness to children all over the world. Just when I thought that this was impossible, we, who shared the same aspirations, met by chance and decided to create a picture book together.
Based on a story created by Kanako Spendlove in the great outdoors of Hawaii, Kyoto-based hand-painted Yuzen kimono artist Nobuo Hayashikawa has illustrated the story with a cosmic imagination that belies his age of 80. Through numerous Zoom calls between Hawaii and Kyoto, the picture book "The Amamizu's Adventure" was completed. It's a magical story about holding on to your dreams and making them come true. We want to share this picture book with children and many people around the world. During this search, we came across organically grown cacao in Vietnam.
Encountering organically grown cacao in Vietnam
Organic cacao grown with love on a cacao farm in the glittering sunshine of Vietnam. We had no prior connection to Vietnam, but when we encountered this cacao, all the pieces came together and we started moving. We decided to create sweets using clean, organically grown cacao from Vietnam that is kind to both the body and the earth, using chocolate recipes that Kanako Spendlove has been creating for many years. We then packaged them with love and magic, featuring the energetic illustrations of the picture book "The Adventures of the Amamizu," and delivered them to you.
Cacao101's cocoa sweets are made with a lot of love and the miracle of encounter. They bring smiles, energy, and happiness to everyone.
Story of Kanako
The Story of Kanako Spendlove
Message
MESSAGE FROM KANAKO
Cacao has many health benefits. For over 5,000 years, it has been treasured as a medicine, a ceremonial offering, and even currency, and has been passed down as a gift from the gods to humans. Cacao has long fascinated many people as a substance possessing mystical powers, and I am one of those who have been captivated by these mystical powers. Since then, I have taken up the daily pleasure of dissolving cacao powder in hot water, mixing it with honey, and finishing with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, all while listening to the birdsong.
The chocolates I make are very simple: hard, small, dice-shaped chocolates with high cocoa content, close to 100%. They melt slowly in your mouth like candy and are enjoyed. I also add a touch of honey or agave sweetness, pour a thin layer of chocolate over crushed nuts, and sprinkle with my favorite herbs, like lavender or rose, to enjoy.
Enjoy the chocolate made with Cacao101's recipes, infused with love and intuition, and the sacred cacao grown with love in Vietnam with all your senses. As the chocolate melts in your mouth, feel the mystical power within you begin to shine.
Kanako Spendlove (maiden name: Kanako Kitao)
Born in Kyoto Prefecture, currently living in Hawaii. Silver medalist in synchronized swimming at the Athens Olympics, Cirque du Soleil performer, director, and energy worker.
