Mauricio Varela & Lucia Montero Tapir Chocolates in Costa Rica Crafting Vegan Deliciousness by Chocolatiers Supporting T

1. Mauricio Varela & Lucia Montero: Tapir Chocolates in Costa Rica Crafting Vegan Deliciousness by Chocolatiers Supporting Tapir Conservation The Business Magnate. Do you know that Chocolates are an Aphrodisiac? Oh yes, chocolates have ingredients that put our brain chemicals into a frenzy when consumed. A good frenzy is where our brain is stimulated, energy is elevated, and blood flow is increased. Especially Dark Chocolate which has more pure cacao content, contains chemicals like serotonin and phenylethylamine. These chemicals trigger the brain’s activity; thus, giving this nice satisfying feeling when consuming chocolates. Costa Rica, a Latin American country in the Central American region, is known for its historical production of cacao Beans. The country has the perfect geographical location, soil quality, and climate conditions suitable for growing cacao. Used as a form of currency a very long time ago, cacao production in Costa Rica has come a long way in production and manufacture. Combining cacao content with food, beverages, and cosmetics has become an integral part of consumer preferences in global markets. The unique fragrance, mouth-watering delicious taste, velvety textures, and smooth brown and muddy color invoke a sense of being one with nature and with oneself. Keeping in line with the health benefits and consumer preferences of integrating cacao into food, beverages, and cosmetics today, this article will share the story of one such couple being committed chocolatiers in Costa Rica, who together are making a delicious difference and a positive environmental impact. By crafting tasty dark chocolate bars in 10 different flavors at Tapir Chocolates, the company locally finds and sources its cacao beans from different regions of the country itself, thereby respecting and continuing its Latin roots and Costa Rican gastronomy in cacao production. Aiming to provide only premium, high-quality dark chocolates to the people, Tapir Chocolates are also vegan and additive-free! This article will also share interesting insights into how the chocolatier connoisseurs - Mauricio Varela-Naranjo and Lucia Montero-Cole, show their support through Tapir Chocolates for the Nai Conservation - an organization in Costa Rica that solely works to protect and preserve the conservation of the severely endangered species of the Baird’s Tapirs. Tapir Chocolates: Co-founded in 2014 by chocolatiers and connoisseurs - Mauricio Varela and Lucia Montero, Tapir Chocolates was founded and established in Curridabat, San José, Costa Rica. the couple, who were on their journey together conducting research into the varieties, versatilities, and utilities of the Theobroma Cacao Tree (Theobroma is translated to English to mean “Food of the Gods”). This tree produces three different types of cacao - Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario. Therefore, here, the couple - Mauricio and Lucia on their mission to create the type of dark chocolate sourced from raw organic and pure ingredients from the Costa Rican land itself that has full cacao content. Aimed at crafting chocolates that are not only of premium quality, but which are also healthy, vegan, additive-free, preservative-free, delicious, and all handmade, the couple finally made their dreams come true when they

2. founded and established Tapir Chocolates in Costa Rica. The chocolates made at this company have either 100% pure cacao content in their chocolate bars or 75% cacao content. Making only dark chocolates, the couple prioritizes environmental conservation at the company’s core. With ten different flavors of chocolate bars combined with the country’s tropical fruits, Tapir Chocolates are sold locally weighing at 50g per bar. Considering people’s preferences today, the chocolates are also made gluten-free and unadulterated to offer a healthy and comforting delicious aphrodisiac experience. Tapir Chocolates strictly has a no-child employment policy respecting and adhering to legal work and employment exploitation rules. Lucia Montero-Cole - an entrepreneur and fellow environmental activist has been working in the Food and Beverages sector in Costa Rica for a few years now. As part of the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) in Costa Rica, Lucia takes part in this non-profit organization that aims to “Invest in People and Inspiring Change.” The organization empowers the youth, cultivates good and strong leaders of the country, strengthens institutions and business organizations, and provides access to quality information and education. Lucia takes part specifically in the “YLAI Program” - Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Program. Lucia’s goal today is to help her chocolate business gain traction by challenging areas in scaling and expansions. Mauricio Varela-Naranjo is the Director and Co-founder at Tapir Chocolates alongside Lucia. Being the Chef Chocolatier at the company, Mauricio also oversees operations in Product and Design, and Project Management. Working in close quarters with supporting cacao producers, Mauricio aims to provide people with the best quality dark chocolates in the healthiest way possible. He works passionately and with utmost determination and commitment to bring together sustainable chocolates and ethically produced community- based cacao beans. Interested in regenerative economies, Mauricio is still aimed at building Tapir Chocolates, as in his own words - “from bean to bar”! Conservation Efforts of Tapir Chocolates for The Baird’s Tapirs: The Nai Conservation in Costa Rica was founded by Esteban Brenes-Mora - a biologist and expert on Tapirs. His organization is on a mission to save the endangered South American species of the Baird’s Tapirs. With a steep decline over the years, this species is now estimated to have only a few thousand surviving in the entire world. With increased deforestation activities, human disturbances, and illegal activities of trafficking, and poaching, the Baird’s Tapirs are vanishing through the years in enormous numbers. Chocolatiers, Environmentally conscious, and Tapir activists - Mauricio and Lucia, the co- founders of Tapir Chocolates, have integrated their chocolate manufacturing and producing company in the food and beverages sector to show their support for this endangered species in Costa Rica by allocating a percentage of their sales profits into the Nai Conservation organization. By volunteering in activities and environmentally educating the people through programs, and social and art events, the founders at Tapir Chocolates have a strong union

3. with the organization. Mauricio and Lucia encourage their customers and the public to be educated on the imperativeness of Tapir Conservation. The Baird’s Tapirs, known as the “Gardeners of the Forest”, will hopefully be protected and conserved to protect vital ecosystems around the world with our committed activists and local supporters.