Chethana Estate has been run by the Patil family for three generations — originally focused on areca nut and pepper. In 2016, a small patch of cacao was planted under banana shade, mostly out of curiosity. That patch is now the heart of their farm. Cacao here is grown under mixed shade — jackfruit, silver oak, and the occasional coconut. No irrigation, no sprays, just rain and soil. The farm sits at 640m altitude, with loamy red earth and thick morning mist from July through October. Fermentation is a newer practice — currently done in mango wood boxes under a tiled shed, just beside the pepper drying yard.