We Love Chocolate
Our family has been farming in the islands since the days of the Hawaiian kingdom. Recognized three times for producing the best cacao beans in the world by Cocoa of Excellence in Paris, France — we are pioneers of cacao farming on Kauai.
In Hawaiian, the phrase Malama ‘Aina means to care for the land so it can sustain life for future generations. As a fifth-generation family in Hawaii, we are honored to be stewards of both the land and local culture since 1865. We are proud to continue our family’s legacy through the experience of small-scale sustainable cacao farming, exquisitely crafted chocolate, and educational farm tours on our historically-rich property.
Kauai Chocolate Tour and Tasting
Three Hour Tour ⋅ Adults $135* ⋅ Children $95
Our famous chocolate farm tour — the first of its kind on Kaua’i, widely copied, never surpassed, it is Kauai’s most enjoyable and educational activity. Your three-hour guided tour begins with a stroll through our botanical gardens, where you sample our award-winning palm-blossom honey, experience our vanilla beans, and do an extensive tropical fruit tasting. At Lydgate Farms, formerly Steelgrass Farm, learn all about Theobroma Cacao the chocolate tree and taste its ripe fruit, learn the secrets of turning raw cacao seeds into finished chocolate, and discover the amazing health benefits of chocolate.
There is SO MUCH to learn about chocolate! And our Kauai chocolate tour finishes with an extensive chocolate tasting course where we teach you the fine art of being a chocolate connoisseur, taste all of the award-winning chocolate from our farm, and show you the amazing distinctive flavors of bean-to-bar chocolate — even more diverse than those found in wine.
We operate rain or shine, making visiting Lydgate Farms Kauai’s best rainy day activity. Space is limited and our tour is often sold out so make reservations in advance of your visit to guarantee your spot.
*We also offer a Deluxe Adult ticket — which can be selected at checkout. Designed for the ultimate connoisseur, this ticket includes a customizable top-shelf chocolate collection delivered to you after your tour. One per couple is recommended for the ultimate chocolate experience. Each Deluxe Adult ticket includes one of these packages — limit of 4 per reservation. This ticket type is unique in that it includes both the tour and chocolate to take home priced with a club discount.
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Drive up gift shop open for drop-ins Monday-Friday 9:30am-2:30pm.
As Seen In
Visit Our Chocolate Shop
Online
Every product we sell is special to us because we sell all of them directly to you — our farm ohana (family). All of our products are naturally grown with lots of Kauai sunshine and rainwater, hand-harvested, and processed in small batches with skill and aloha to ensure the highest quality. Experience our award-winning Lydgate Farms single estate chocolate, vanilla beans, and palm blossom honey, and check out our multi-bar tasting packs and product groupings, perfect gifts for the special people in your lives. Order the taste of Kauai, straight to your door.
On the Farm
We welcome you to come up to our on-farm gift shop from 9:30am-2:30pm. Purchase Lydgate Farms chocolate, honey, and other delicious products straight from the source, enjoy free samples, and chat with a friendly tasting guide who will answer your questions. Call 808.821.1857 or email [email protected] for directions.
Lydgate Farms cacao beans have been recognized to be among the best tasting in the world at the Cocoa of Excellence awards in Paris (2017, 2021, 2023)
Chocolate Farm Tour Gift Certificate
Give them an experience they’ll remember!