I have Cacao Trees Coffee & Crafts Cocoa

What it is:

If you drive outside Chiang Mai into the cool, fragrant forests of Hang Dong district, you’ll find a magical cacao farm tucked away from the crowds. Farmer Bee, a lifelong chocolate lover, discovered that cacao could thrive organically here years ago, and has since begun cultivating it sans pesticides, herbicides and chemicals. Today, he runs a whole farm and his chocolate cafe, while also partnering with five local farmers.

Why we love it:

The whole place radiates Thai countryside, small-business charm. Bee produces cacao powder, nibs, mass and fresh cacao drinks straight from the farm. His hot chocolate has even earned enthusiastic praise from a Swiss chocolatier in the form of a glowing Google review – who can argue with that? 

Time Out tip: 

Pack a book, journal or your laptop and spend a day at his place sipping various strengths of cocoa far away from the city.