A Chocolate Lover’s Paradise: The Hidden Cocoa Village of West Bali
Agrowisata Merta Abadi is a hidden gem in West Bali where local farmers cultivate world-class cocoa using a solid cooperative management system from upstream to downstream. Thanks to strict fermentation processes and unique soil conditions, the cocoa produced here has successfully penetrated international markets including Europe, Russia, and Asia. Visitors can experience the lush plantation, visit the unique "Sunday Chocolate Market," and enjoy authentic hot chocolate fresh from the farm. Despite its success, the farmers currently face challenges regarding marketing and capital to expand their tourism facilities.
If South Bali is known for the roaring waves of its beaches, then West Bali holds a sweet silence behind its lush plantations. Precisely in Banjar Adnyasari, Ekasari Village, Melaya District, there lies a "hidden gem" called Agrowisata Merta Abadi.
This is where the world-renowned Jembrana cocoa beans originate. More than just an ordinary garden, this place is proof of the perseverance of local farmers who have focused on cocoa cultivation for the last six years.
What distinguishes this Cocoa Village from other plantations? The answer lies in management. The farmers here do not work individually but move under one solid cooperative command.
This system manages everything from upstream to downstream. Starting from tree care to maximize fruit production, to post-harvest handling. It is no wonder that upon entering this area, visitors' eyes will be spoiled by the view of a neatly arranged and beautiful cocoa garden. This regularity is the visual attraction for international guests who come to visit.
Rows of neatly arranged cocoa trees at Agrowisata Merta Abadi, Ekasari Village (Source: Private Collection)
Jembrana Cocoa has a unique and characteristic flavor profile. This distinctive taste is born from a combination of soil structure and Jembrana’s geographic conditions. However, nature alone is not enough. The farmers at Merta Abadi perfect it with a strict and standardized fermentation treatment.
This quality is what makes Jembrana Cocoa successful in traveling the world. Through collaboration with various parties, cocoa beans from this village have penetrated prestigious export markets, ranging from Europe, America, Russia, to Asian countries.
The fermentation process is the main key that produces export quality cocoa flavors (Source: Private Collection)
Agrowisata Merta Abadi is a "living" destination. Because the cultivation and processing run every day, tourists can visit at any time without having to wait for a specific season. There are always activities to see, ranging from fruit picking to fermentation.
One of the most unique attractions here is the Pasar Minggu Cokelat (Chocolate Sunday Market). This is claimed to be the only chocolate-themed market in Bali, where visitors can see the creative economy activities based on cocoa.
A visit feels incomplete without tasting. Every guest who comes will be served a glass of hot chocolate, a pure processed product from the local garden. The taste is authentic, far different from instant chocolate on the market.
However, behind the sweetness of the chocolate and export achievements, farmers still face real challenges. Marketing issues and limited capital to add tourism facilities remain the main obstacles in developing this great potential.
Enjoying a glass of hot chocolate made by local farmers is a sweet ending to the visit (Source: Private Collection)
For those of you who want to experience the other side of Bali that is quiet and educational, Agrowisata Merta Abadi is ready to welcome you.
- Location: Banjar Adnyasari, Desa Ekasari, Kecamatan Melaya, Jembrana Regency.
- Entrance Ticket: IDR 50,000 per person (includes education and hot chocolate treat).
- Opening Hours: Every day (the agrotourism process is continuous).
- Contact & Reservation: 0818-0549-6011 or 0812-3601-062.
