Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit São Tomé

Claudio Corallo, Italian by birth but living in Africa since 1974, welcomes visitors after the closure of his artisan chocolate factory to share his passion for coffee and chocolate. In a series of stages, visitors learn all about the subtleties of cocoa, from cultivation to processing. In this chocolate factory, which resembles an artist's studio and is the antithesis of an agri-food factory, the agronomist lets visitors discover and taste his work, and the visit is punctuated by numerous explanations (in French, Portuguese, English and Italian) and tastings. You'll discover some unusual flavours: chocolate with grapes macerated in cocoa alcohol, ginger, orange, pepper and coffee, grown in the center of the island near Monte Café or on the island of Príncipe. For purists: chocolate with 70%, 80% or 100% cocoa. It's possible to buy chocolates and coffee after your visit: even if you're not tempted, stay and listen to this true enthusiast, who remains close to his visitors, and perhaps he'll share with you the recipe for his light, tasty chocolate mousse...

Claudio Corallo's chocolates can now be found in many of the country's boutiques, from Ckdo to the airport, in France (L'arbre à café, rue du Nil, Paris) and in other countries. Products can be ordered online, with fast, direct delivery to your home. A unique taste and sensory experience not to be missed!

Maxence, a dynamic and enterprising Frenchman, is in the process of bringing this long-abandoned roça back to life, with the help of a skilled team, the majority of whom are women. He or one of his employees will explain all the steps involved in producing quality cocoa beans, from fermentation to traditional drying. In fact, it's the only one on the island to feature old-fashioned rail-mounted drawers, one of the three drying techniques used on the plantation. Maxence has many ideas in mind, including the creation of a cocoa museum. To be continued!