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Feitoria do Cacao: A Quest for Purity and Ethics
The story of Feitoria do Cacao began with love at first sight. During a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe, founders Tomoko and Sue discovered the raw reality of cocoa: the majestic beauty of the plantations contrasted with the difficult living conditions of the farmers.
That trip gave rise to a mission: to create the first "Bean-to-Bar" chocolate (from bean to bar) in Portugal. From their workshop in Vagos, they oversee every stage: rigorous bean selection, slow roasting, stone grinding, and hand moulding. No emulsifiers, no artificial flavours. Just the purity of cocoa, respect for the terroir, and fair remuneration for producers. This commitment has earned them consistent recognition in the world's leading international competitions since 2017.
The Marriage of the Century: 57% Nicaragua Milk Chocolate & Pastel de Nata
How can Portuguese heritage be celebrated while remaining true to the excellence of artisanal chocolate? The answer lies in a bold bar that captures the essence of the country's most famous dessert.
Exceptional Cocoa: 57% Nicaragua
For this creation, Feitoria do Cacao selected beans from Nicaragua. This milk chocolate, with an exceptional cocoa content of 57%, offers rare intensity. It develops notes of hazelnut and red fruit that provide a robust foundation for the pastry's sweetness.
The Secret to the Crunch: Partnership with Padaria AZEDA
A Pastel de Nata is nothing without its flaky pastry. To recreate this legendary texture, the brand collaborates with the AZEDA artisanal bakery. Their handmade puff pastry is delicately broken into pieces and incorporated into the chocolate.
A Symphony of Flavours
With every bite, the experience is complete:
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The Creaminess: The melt-in-the-mouth texture of high-quality milk chocolate.
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The Crunch: The shards of AZEDA puff pastry.
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The Signature: A subtle touch of lemon and a veil of cinnamon, instantly bringing back the taste of a "Pastel" fresh from the oven.
A Bronze Medal in 2024 and Gold Medal in 2026🏆
Proof of its unique character and technical mastery, this "Pastel de Nata" chocolate bar proudly won the 2024 Bronze Prize and 2026 Gold Prize at the "International Chocolate Awards" Competition.
More than just chocolate, it is a piece of Portuguese culture, recognised by the elite of the world's chocolate industry.
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In northern Portugal, where the hills of the Trás-os-Montes region shape landscapes of wild beauty, one of the most precious treasures of Portuguese gastronomy grows. Acushla olive oil is not merely a condiment; it is a tribute to the land, a quest for purity, and one of the world’s most award-winning oils.
A Story of Heart and Heritage
The name "Acushla" has its roots in a Gaelic expression meaning "Beat of my heart". Its founder, Joaquim Moreira, did not choose this name by chance. Passionate about sustainable agriculture and excellence, he wanted to create a brand where emotion meets technical rigor.
Since its creation, Acushla has established itself as an essential benchmark in organic agriculture. Quinta do Prado, home to the centuries-old olive trees, is a biodiversity sanctuary where every tree is treated with almost religious respect.
Expertise Recognized by the Global Elite
If Acushla is now found on the finest tables, it is thanks to a rare consistency in excellence. For many years, the brand has collected awards in the sector’s most prestigious competitions (New York, Tokyo, Jerusalem, London).
This is no coincidence:
Early Harvest: The olives are picked at the precise moment when their antioxidant content and aromas are at their peak.
Cold Extraction: Carried out immediately after harvesting to preserve all the oil’s freshness and nutritional properties.
Certifications: Organic extra virgin olive oil, guaranteeing the complete absence of chemicals.
An Exceptional Aromatic Profile
Tasting Acushla oil is a sensory journey. It reveals the intensity of varieties typical of the region (Verdeal Transmontana, Madural, Cobrançosa). On the palate, it stands out for:
Intense green fruitiness, reminiscent of freshly cut grass.
Notes of almond and apple, bringing balanced sweetness.
A slightly peppery and bitter finish, an unmistakable signature of its richness in polyphenols (health benefits).
Excellence at the Service of Your Cuisine
At Lusobox, our selection stops where the exceptional begins. By including Acushla in our gift boxes, we allow you to bring home the very essence of Portugal. Whether used to enhance a simple salad, accompany grilled fish, or simply be enjoyed with a piece of artisan bread, this oil transforms every meal into a fine-dining experience.
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Why Lusobox? The manifesto for extending your stay
The journey doesn’t end when the plane touches down on the return flight. It continues in the memories, in the stories we share, but above all in the flavors that instantly transport us to a sunny terrace in Lisbon or a cobbled street in Porto.
It was from this desire to suspend time that Lusobox was born.
A selection born of passion
Lusobox is not just a simple box; it is a curator of emotions. Our mission is to uncover excellence wherever it hides: in small artisan workshops, among passionate producers, and in the hands of those who respect the land.
We don’t just choose products; we choose stories. The story of Feitoria do Cacao, for example, which transforms cocoa beans into chocolate bars with exemplary ethics, or that of our canneries, which elevate the flavors of the sea with rare organic standards.
Excellence as our guiding principle
For us, “extending your stay” means offering you the same quality you would find in the finest food stores in Portugal—or the quality you couldn’t find during your getaway. This pursuit of perfection comes with one commitment: to offer you only the very best of Portugal’s terroir.
Your gourmet stopover starts here
Through this blog, The Lusobox Stopover, we invite you to step behind the curtain. We’ll share our encounters with artisans, the secrets behind the making of your next favorite products, and the Portuguese art of living.
Because Portugal is a journey that deserves to be extended every day, at home.
Welcome aboard The Lusobox Stopover.
