Our Story
At the heart of our journey is Mark Leo, a chemist-turned-artist whose passion took a surprising turn. After a decade of creating Abstract Expressionist paintings, Mark found himself drawn to something entirely new: the art and science of chocolate making. This path began as a personal quest to find the perfect couverture to complement his no-sugar-added ice cream made from fermented rice (amazake, 甘酒). But it quickly became something deeper. Mark’s fascination with fermentation—especially the transformative power of Aspergillus oryzae (koji mold)—opened the door to a new adventure: crafting exceptional chocolate.
Malaysia was once the world’s third largest cacao producer, with cacao cultivation dating back to 1778 in a garden in Melaka. Low cacao prices forced many farmers to switch to more profitable crops like oil palm and durian. As part of a small but growing craft chocolate movement dedicated to producing finest bean-to-bar chocolate from its origins, we pay a premium well above the fixed world-market cacao price. By paying fair prices directly to farmers, we help motivate more farmers to grow high-quality cacao.
The alchemy of art and science in chocolate making.
In a striking twist of fate, our Harimau Malaya (Malayan tiger)—Malaysia’s iconic emblem, with only about 150 left in the wild—now stands on the edge of extinction. The tiger’s survival is directly linked to the population of sambar deer, a crucial food source for these wild tigers, which is also facing decline.
We liken ourselves to the deer for the tigers; while striving to craft distinctive chocolate bars, we humbly play our part in supporting local cacao farmers.
The Kelompok Koko Patah Pedang Cacao Cluster in Batu Pahat, Johor, is a community-driven initiative by the Malaysian Cocoa Board under its smallholder development program. This program brings together small-scale cacao farmers, creating a network that offers vital post-harvest services to help boost their productivity and income. Currently, around 16 farmers from five different kampungs are part of this growing community. The cooperative Koperasi Kluster Koko Semenanjung Berhad supports them by providing guidance on processing and marketing their cocoa beans, helping them gain better market access and financial returns. This initiative is a step toward strengthening the local cacao industry and empowering smallholders in Malaysia.