Just north of Amsterdam, near the Zaan River in Zaandijk, a bustling cacao industry took root in the first half of the 19th century. The windmills in Zaandijk were used to grind the cacao beans.
Zaandijk’s Rich Cacao Legacy
A large amount of the world’s cacao beans is still processed in this region. Amsterdam is the worlds’ biggest transshipment port for cacao beans. Zaandijk attracts visitors from around the globe. Everyone always remarks about the aroma of chocolate in the air.
That’s why ‘Smells Like Chocolate’ is the name of Ingmar and Kinito’s shop. Here you can find craft chocolates from specialty producers from around the world. They recently visited cacao plantations in Kinito’s native country of Angola, and made chocolate with cocoa beans of Cabinda, which have
a unique and delicious flavor.
A Sweet Taste of Angola
Their goal is to bring this unknown cacao origin to the market. They would like to share some of their recipes and would love to welcome you at Smells Like Chocolate!
Ingmar and Kinito are passionate not just about flavor, but about fairness. They work directly with smallholder farmers in Angola, ensuring ethical sourcing and better pay for growers.
By highlighting Cabinda cacao, they hope to empower local communities and introduce a new terroir to chocolate lovers. At Smells Like Chocolate, every bar tells a story—from the tropical soil of Angola to the historic mills of Zaandijk.
Story, Production and Prop Styling by Marian Flint
Photography by Maarten Van Der Wal
Recipes and Food Styling by Ingmar Niezen
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