Marou sourced cacao beans harvested, fermented and dried on seven small family farms located throughout the Mekong Delta and southern highlands of Vietnam, to make extraordinary chocolate. The same species of cacao (Trinatario) has different flavor profiles from farm to farm, giving a natural range. An identity was developed, out of Marou’s unique story and locations. Bright colors derived from the fresh cacao pods at the farms were applied to packaging to identify various products in a range. Traditional lattice patterns found on ceremonial papers in Vietnam inspired new patterns with hand-drawn cacao pods and auspicious clouds. The typography carries inspiration from early modern French signage found in Vietnam, to note the origin of cacao in Vietnam. To highlight the hand-made, artisanal quality of the chocolate itself, a local printing shop was commissioned to hand silk-screen print gold ink onto packaging. This identity has grown to include other ranges from Marou, as well as spaces, cafes, shops, livery, and Academie Marou, where people learn the art of chocolate making.
