To’ak’s new Rocks chocolates avoid the usual conching and tempering, letting their natural, floral flavours shine through. Food & Wine
To’ak, the Ecuadorian chocolate maker known for producing some of the world’s most expensive bars, wants more people to taste its work. Instead of asking buyers to spend nearly $500 on one of its famous Master Series bars, the company now offers a new option at a far lower cost.
To’ak earned global attention because of its rare cacao. The founders launched the brand in 2013 after discovering nine Ancient Nacional trees deep in Ecuador’s Piedra de Plata valley. Experts once believed this type of cacao had died out. The trees likely connect to cacao grown by the Mayo-Chinchipe people more than 5,000 years ago.
Introducing To’ak Rocks
The company announced a new product called To’ak Rocks. These small chocolate bites share the same genetic line as the ancient cacao found in the valley. Each piece sells for $7.50. The cacao grows without deforestation through To’ak’s partner farmers and a conservation group that protects a large area of Ecuadorian rainforest.
Charles Michel, the company’s chief innovation officer, says the new product opens the door to a wider group of chocolate lovers. “Everyone deserves a gateway to extraordinary chocolate. Rocks makes our rare genetics and ethical regenerative sourcing more accessible,” he says. Michel adds that most people do not realize how often mainstream chocolate links to deforestation. To’ak hopes to set new standards while reaching more consumers.
A Different Chocolate-Making Method
To’ak Rocks stands apart because of how the chocolate is made. The brand skips the usual steps of conching and tempering, common techniques used by most makers. Without these steps, To’ak says the chocolate tastes more floral and fruity, with a lighter profile. Michel compares the flavour to hot chocolate made in Indigenous communities. The bites also have a crumbly texture that sets them apart from the smooth feel of conventional bars.
Michel calls the approach “a rebellious innovation.” He says many chocolatiers would not consider untempered chocolate to be true chocolate. But skipping the standard process keeps more of the natural aroma that makes Ancient Nacional cacao unique.
To’ak’s highest-end bars remain its signature items, with some priced at $490. Those bars helped the brand earn its reputation for extreme luxury. Yet the new bite aims to show that rare chocolate can also feel fun and approachable.
Making Luxury More Playful
Cofounder Carl Schweizer says the new product shows another side of the brand. “Rocks are the untamed side of that mastery: spontaneous, textured, and alive,” he explains. He adds that the bites still honour the company’s craftsmanship and vision.
The new chocolates are available through To’ak’s website and in select U.S. specialty shops. The company plans to release them internationally in 2026.
