Head and Heart - Clean + Conscious 2023 Finalist

We are proud to announce we are a finalist for the Clean + Conscious Awards 2023

Our Interview with ABC

Watch video interview with ABC International Development
about co-owner Phoebe’s ancestral journey with cacao.

Penina Naturally Alcohol Free Beer

Like taking a plunge in the pristine Pacific Ocean, Penina is a refreshing clean bright non – alcoholic beer brewed in Victoria and featuring cacao from Samoa

Cacao Creatives Space

We use all components of the cacao bean to create a variety of bean to bar chocolates, cacao husk teas and cacao husk dust for our Koko Smooth Skincare range.

About Us

We are working towards creating markets for premium products that are cultivated in the Pacific Islands.

We are currently working within Samoa and Papua New Guinea. We seek guidance in purchasing and networkings through Women in Business in Samoa, A values-led organisation, that supports the most vulnerable people in Samoa who need to develop sources of income.

BEST SELLERS

  • Head and Heart – 100% Drinking Cacao

    $12.95$29.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Samoan 70% Dark Chocolate

    $5.30$12.95
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 80% Dark Chocolate

    $5.30$12.95
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • KOKO DUO Dark Chocolate

    $5.30$12.95
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

WHAT WE CREATE

At Living Koko we create small batch guilt-free indulgence with our bespoke and organic cacao products, made of the richest cacao beans from the Samoan Islands.

WHY WE DO IT

We want to empower our communities here and in the Pacific Islands through fair, ethical trade. Connecting you to the best cacao in the world to you. We want to support ecologically.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US

The whakapapa (genealogy) of our food is important. We believe we need to have deeper conversations around indigenous foods, bio dynamic cultivations and
cultural health systems.

Upcoming Events

Curious about Culture – Melton City Council

Last week we had the honor of speaking at the City of Melton's Curious About Culture event, focusing on Oceanic Communities. This inspiring initiative was thoughtfully curated by Henry Tamasese from the Community Development team at Melton. Sharing the panel with Bou...

A Season of Connection

  The end of the year often brings excitement, but it can also feel heavy and exhausting. For some of us who have lost loved ones this year, the holiday season is the first of many without them. Also the pressures of expectation, preparation, and connection can...

2024 Finalist Business Excellence Award – Sustainability

Living Koko is known for its commitment to both sustainability and food sovereignty - we are grateful for the recognition given by City Of Melton as we have been announced as a finalist for the Business Excellence in Sustainability.  Winners to be announced 4th...

Koko & Konnect – 24 August 2024

Saturday 24 August, Tickets Here Koko & Konnect is a sensory experience created with your community in mind. In todays busy world take a moment for you to connect in a unique way. A chocolate and cacao tasting experience that applies an indigenious practise...

“All these ceremonies are Bulls*&t…”

I have been activating  a lot of events, wellness spaces and conversations around cacao, healing and ceremony...and when I hear people in the wider community say "all these ceremonies are bullshit..." Those that have never attended ceremonies like this the word...

Koko & Konnect

We would like you to join us for "Koko & Konnect" - 29 June 2024 - Tickets here Koko & Konnect is a sensory experience created by Living Koko. A chocolate and cacao tasting event with more depth and understanding of where our cacao comes from. We will  teach...

The importance of self care and helping our mother figures recognise when needed…

For each of us, Mothers’ Day holds different significance and can bring up mixed emotions - positive and negative. The day can be used as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many different kinds of mother figures in our lives, whether they be biological...

It’s Bobby Alu Week!

Our brother Bobby Alu is comin' in for a jam this Sunday. And in other exciting news our mums are joining us. Yip my Queen aka mum and Bobby's mum are going to join us for a jam session at the factory. Looking forward to hanging out with those of you who grabbed...

Pasifika Movement & Cacao – Masina Atoa (Full Moon) 23 April

Pasifika Movement & Cacao - $25 + BF - Tickets here "April brings a powerful alignment of planets and energy. How to navigate this cosmic terrain? Control what’s in your hands, and let the universe do the rest." Can you give 2hrs of your month to help ground your...

What do you offer this Easter?

Easter holds diverse meanings for people around the world, deeply rooted in religious, cultural, and personal significance. It symbolizes hope, redemption, and the promise of new beginnings. Beyond its religious connotations, Easter has evolved into a celebration of...

FEATURE POSTS

The centuries old tradition of cacao cultivation in Samoa connects chocolate maker Phoebe to family, her ancestors, her communities and her homeland.

Click here to listen to Phoebe Preuss tell a story of place, connection, memories of home… starting with a cacao bean.

SAMOAN CONNECTION

I come from a family of cacao growers and processes. When speaking with my mother, her brothers and sisters I realise they all have an incredible knowledge in cacao growth and processing.

LAULU Sesole John Stanley’s story is what first got me interested in cacao.  One of the early pioneers for cacao in Samoa developing the Lafi7 strand of cacao beans.

I have never met my Papa (Grandfather) John Stanley but he has always been in my heart and when ever a story of his was being told I was all ears.  He was loved in our village of Vaiusu, Vaigaga and the District of Faleata. Everything he did was for his family and his people.

Papa and Uncle Sala, Ulugia Suivai started the first village marching band in Samoa, known as the Vaiusu marching band, which become famous with the tourism cruise ships, and performed in apia celebration occasion and weddings.  They would even invite overseas groups to come visit Samoa and host warm welcoming fiafia nights full of culture and food.  The Vaiusu band was the best in the country and would travel around the world and through country performing.

He shared his love of music with his village and especially his children, seeing Uncle Elijah and Uncle Dan starting their own cover band called the Holli Hocks.

He was a giver to the people of Samoa.  For over 2 years papa was the Assistant General Manager of WSTEC, managing the cacao and coffee plantations, also known as the German Plantations.  The stretch of the WSTEC plantations covered approximately three quarters of Samoa.

During his time at WSTEC he created the Lafi7 cacao bean.  The best cacao bean in the world.  A bean that thrived on Samoan soil and could only really be planted from cuttings to retain its pedigree.  This bean was so well known, tourist would come from all over the world to see the Lafi7 strand, in the special Lafi7 plot.

Papa passed away in 1969 aged 49, a kind hearted man that loved his family not just his children but his village. He achieved so much in such his short period of time on our earth that he was known and loved by everyone.  I draw inspiration from his life and achievements.

Even after nearly 49 years since papa’s passing people still remember him for his energy and warmth.  During our most recent trip to Samoa one of the farmers acknowledged the alofa his uncle had for LAULU Sesole, John Stanely.  The never ending acknowledgements and statements of love that is still today being shared about papa helps guide my journey through life and Living Koko.

Living Koko Logo

Living Koko acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are based on, Narrm (Melbourne); the Wurundjeri and neighbouring Boonwurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.

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Our Location

Unit 59, 56-68 Eucumbene Drive, Ravenhall. VIC. 3023, Australia - Wurundjeri Country

Living Koko - Samoa, Papauta, Apia, Samoa

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