These two volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa were, around 1900, among the largest cocoa producers in the world. They were also the centre of a scandal: plantation labour on the islands was exposed as slavery in all but name, and British firms including Cadbury came under fire for buying the beans. The episode shaped the ethical sourcing debate that continues today.
Today São Tomé is a small producer, much of it organic and grown by smallholders on the old plantation land. Its cocoa tends towards a robust, full-bodied style, often with coffee and roasted notes.
São Tomé chocolate to try
Sorted from mildest to darkest
