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Steelgrass Chocolate Farm
Hawaii is the only state in the country where theobroma cacao grows. As every chocolate connoisseur knows, the tree that grows the precious seed that becomes chocolate is the cacao tree. The Lydgates are on a mission to grow cacao on family farms all over the island with the hopes of one day starting a co-op that will produce Kauai Homegrown Chocolate. For now, you can tour this organic farm (in addition to cacao, they grow vanilla, timber, bamboo, and many tropical fruits) and learn how chocolate is made,"from branch to bar," as they put it. The three-hour tour includes, of course, plenty of chocolate tastings. Reservations are required for the morning tour, which begins Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 am. Children 12 and under are free. Driving directions are provided when you make a reservation. www.steelgrass.org. COST: $60. OPEN: Mon., Wed., Fri. for tours only.