
Our Story


Hello! We are El and Kiru, a husband and wife passionate about creating ethical chocolate. Our journey into chocolate making began when El encountered the cacao production process firsthand while working in international development across West Africa. El was fascinated by the complexities of cacao, but shocked at how much of its natural flavors were masked in the chocolate bars of her childhood. Combining Kiru’s talent for flavor pairings and culinary artistry with El's expertise in chocolate making, we began experimenting, firmly believing that cacao is a superfood, not just candy. This journey and passion led to the creation of Endé Cacao, honoring cacao farmers committed to sustainable agriculture and celebrating this wondrous food source by highlighting its health benefits and flavor complexity through our bean-to-bar selections.
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At our core, we embrace the philosophy that 'Food is Medicine,' recognizing the health benefits of dark chocolate, such as improved heart health, blood flow, brain function, mood, and healing. Our passion for food and cooking inspired us to create chocolate bars infused with native ingredients sourced from our country of origin, Ethiopia, as well as other locations. We believe cacao is a superfood, not just candy.

In the Amharic language of Ethiopia, the word Endé (እንዴ) is an exclamation used to express surprise, shock, or amazement. We aim to evoke the same reaction with every bite of our chocolate.
