Post 10: Chocolate Packaging Progress

Over the past several weeks, the development of the Finca Don Jorge chocolate packaging has been progressing steadily, but a significant shift in my circumstances has required me to adapt both my timeline and fabrication approach. Due to an unexpected visa situation, I had to leave the United States and return to Mexico City. While this wasn’t originally part of my plan, I’ve taken this as an opportunity to explore new resources and continue building the project from here.

Since arriving in Mexico City, I’ve begun researching local woodworking shops and makerspaces where I can continue the fabrication process. Although this has introduced a temporary delay in progress, the rich artisan culture and availability of reclaimed materials in Mexico actually align beautifully with the eco-brutalist mestizo aesthetic I’m trying to achieve. My goal is to find a space with access to woodworking tools, particularly saws, sanders, and CNC or laser-cutting capabilities, to continue crafting the wooden packaging that mirrors the shape and tactility of a cacao pod.

Before leaving Boulder, I was able to complete my CAD sketches in Solidworks and start prototyping the layout of the internal compartments. These include the dynamic component of the packaging, compartments for tasting notes, and a rotating sleeve that adds a dynamic, puzzle-like element to the packaging. I also gathered the brass hardware and started sourcing reclaimed hardwood. My plan is to continue refining the form here in Mexico, using locally available materials that align with the same values of sustainability and craftsmanship.

Figure 1: Chocolate Packaging Render

However, I am also planning for a contingency. If I encounter too many obstacles in continuing the wooden fabrication, I’ve developed an alternate route. This alternative version of the chocolate packaging would be made using high-end, luxury paper materials. The focus here would shift slightly from the raw tactility of eco-brutalism to an elevated paper craft rooted in Mexican storytelling and visual identity.

Figure 2: Alternative Packaging Inspired in Finca Topography

This version would use textured, recycled paper embossed with natural patterns inspired by cacao pods and Finca Don Jorge. The outer sleeve could feature gold foil accents to signal premium quality, while the internal folds would still include the storytelling elements: tasting notes, fermentation process highlights, and visual cues of the cacao’s journey from tree to bar. While it may lack the weight and permanence of wood, this version would still aim to deliver a multi-sensory experience and could be more scalable in the long run.

As of now, I’m working to determine which direction is most feasible given my new location and time remaining in the semester. I am continuing to document the design process, updating CAD files, and researching wood finishes and joinery techniques that can be executed within my new constraints. Regardless of the material path I ultimately take, the central mission remains unchanged: to honor the heritage, craft, and complexity of Mexican dark chocolate through packaging that tells a meaningful story.

Figure 3: Finca Don Jorge

Citation:

Figure 3 Photograph taken by Lucila Aguilar Arquitectos: https://lucilaaguilar.com/