The oChre Brands story: Exploring peruvian heritage cacao

Where It All Began: Cornwall, Sea Salt & Serendipity

Driven by a desire to understand what real chocolate could and should be, we set out on a journey to the cradle of cacao: South America. Our path led us to Tarapoto, Peru—one of our homelands, and a region rich in biodiversity, history, and heritage.
In Peru, we learned that chocolate is more than just a treat—it’s a legacy. A country of immense cacao diversity, Peru boasts native varieties that are as unique as wine grapes, each with distinct profiles shaped by soil, climate, and tradition. What’s more, we discovered how the cacao industry had become a powerful agent of transformation—replacing coca plantations with cacao cultivation, restoring dignity and opportunity to rural communities. Traceability became the foundation, as each bean carried with it the story of a farmer, a region, and a movement.

In the heart of this journey, we discovered Tesoro Amazónico, a boutique producer that embodies everything we were searching for: single-origin, bean-to-bar Peruvian chocolate with integrity. Each bar is carefully crafted, celebrating terroir, transparency, and the rich craftsmanship of Peruvian chocolatiers. For the first time, we saw chocolate not as a commodity, but as a cultural artefact.

Ochre Brands: Where Culture Meets Craft

Why Ochre?

It all began at university in beautiful Cornwall—where sea salt chocolate reigns supreme—when two friends from faraway lands, Peru and Hong Kong, crossed paths. United by fate, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for quality, we discovered a shared passion: chocolate. But not just any chocolate. We were drawn to the kind that carries meaning, tells a story, and is anchored in provenance. The kind that evokes place, people, and pride.

As we explored local shops and boutique chocolatiers, a disheartening pattern emerged: true quality was difficult to access. Most “premium” chocolates came at a steep price, and even then, they didn’t always deliver on their promise. Beneath glossy packaging and refined branding, many were mass-manufactured blends—an amalgamation of indistinct cacao varieties sourced from across continents. The result? A product stripped of its identity, its origin obscured, its taste homogenised. The soul of the cacao—the terroir, the culture, the people—was nowhere to be found.

And so, Ochre Brands was born.
Our mission is bold yet simple: to democratise access to exceptional chocolate while celebrating Peruvian heritage and sustainable sourcing. We believe that great chocolate shouldn’t be an exclusive luxury—it should be authentic, traceable, and deeply human.

A dirt path with grass on either side, flanked by green trees and a weathered wooden fence on the left, leading towards a misty mountain range in the distance under a cloudy sky.

At Ochre Brands, we challenge the status quo of the “premium” chocolate market. We work with true artisans who respect the land and the bean, not marketing jargon. Every product we offer is a bridge—from the Amazon to your hands, from farm to flavour.

Our name, Ochre, is inspired by the warm, earthy tones of the cacao pod and the rich palette of Peru’s landscape. It symbolizes soil, sun, and soul—the essential elements that shape real chocolate. Just as ochre is a pigment grounded in nature and used in ancient art, our chocolate is grounded in authenticity and cultural expression.

A Story Worth Tasting

A dirt road in a rural area with green trees and plants on both sides, some buildings and parked cars in the background, with a cloudy sky overhead.

Ochre Brands is more than a chocolate company. It’s a story of friendship, exploration, and purpose. A bridge between East and West, ancient and modern, consumer and farmer. A reminder that the best things in life are those that are honest, rooted, and made with care.