Yumbos Chocolate

About Yumbos Chocolate

Yumbos Chocolate is an artisanal chocolate factory founded by Claudia Ponce and Pierre Alain Molinari, passionate advocates for Ecuador's fine and aromatic cacao heritage. Located in Quito's historic Centro Histórico district near the iconic San Francisco Church, this fair-trade chocolate producer transforms selected cacao beans into handcrafted chocolates without preservatives or artificial flavors. The factory sources its cacao from the Los Ríos and Esmeraldas regions, maintaining an ethical alliance with AMATIF (Timbire Women for the Future Association), an organization of nearly 100 Afro-Colombian families who cultivate traditional Fine and Aroma Cacao varieties including Criollo Blanco, Amendolado, and Arriba—important agricultural and cultural legacies of their ancestors.

The Chocolate Tasting Experience

The signature experience at Yumbos is the guided chocolate tasting, where knowledgeable staff lead visitors through 7-9 different artisanal chocolate varieties. Tastings typically include pure chocolates ranging from 100% cacao to lower percentages combined with distinctive flavors such as coffee, lemongrass, chili and salt, orange, ginger, and blueberry. Each tasting is accompanied by rich, creamy hot chocolate made from 100% cacao and freshly baked brownies that visitors consistently praise as exceptional. The tasting room occupies the second floor of a commercial building, accessible by ringing a doorbell at street level. From the balcony, visitors enjoy pleasant views of the historic plaza and the San Francisco Church across the street.

Cacao Heritage and Production

Ecuador's cacao is recognized globally as among the world's finest, and Yumbos celebrates this heritage through education and craftsmanship. The factory employs historical chocolate-making techniques to produce pure products that highlight the natural characteristics of aromatic cacao varieties. Visitors learn about where and how cacao is grown and processed in Ecuador, gaining appreciation for the complexity and quality that distinguishes Ecuadorian chocolate. The bean-to-bar production process is explained in detail, from roasting through final creation, allowing guests to understand the care and expertise required to produce premium artisanal chocolate.

Products and Purchases

Yumbos offers chocolate bars in 60-gram portions priced at approximately $5-6 each, along with specialty items such as cocoa nibs and ginger syrup. Chocolate bars are available in various cacao percentages and flavor combinations, allowing visitors to select favorites to take home. The factory also sells hot chocolate and brownies à la carte for approximately $4. Many visitors purchase multiple bars and specialty products after tastings, with some customers noting they use cocoa nibs and recipes provided by Yumbos to recreate the experience at home.

Location and Access

Situated at Sebastián de Benalcázar in Quito's Centro Histórico, Yumbos is positioned directly across from the San Francisco Church, one of Quito's most significant colonial landmarks. The entrance is discreet—a doorbell beside a wooden door on the street level—and staff buzz visitors up to the second floor. This location makes Yumbos an ideal complement to visits of the historic plaza and nearby colonial architecture. The factory is easily accessible from central Quito and often included as a stop on cultural and gastronomic walking tours of the old town.

Visitor Experience and Hospitality

Staff members at Yumbos are consistently noted for their friendliness, knowledge, and excellent English-language communication. Tour guides provide informative, engaging explanations of chocolate production and cacao history, creating memorable educational experiences. The atmosphere is welcoming and unhurried, with guides generously sharing their expertise. Visitors frequently describe the experience as unique, informative, and delicious, with many expressing enthusiasm about discovering Ecuador's chocolate heritage and leaving with newfound appreciation for artisanal chocolate craftsmanship.