Living Koko, a bean to cup brand championing indigenous cultivation and cacao farming, for Samoan villages to benefit, prosper and grow.

Living Koko is a Melbourne‑based, women‑led social enterprise founded in 2014 by Phoebe Preuss and Glen Reiss.

They produce small‑batch, organic cacao (“koko”) food, beverages, teas, and body‑care items using ethically sourced beans from independent small‑plot farms in Samoa and the Pacific Islands. Their products are vegan, gluten‑free, free from preservatives and allergens, and include offerings like drinking cacao blends, husk teas, dark chocolate bars, cacao nibs, and cacao‑infused skin care.

A man and woman posing together inside a colorful setting. The man has short gray hair and is wearing a dark jacket, while the woman has curly dark hair, glasses, and is wearing a green top with black sleeves, resting her chin on her hand and smiling.

Nourishing Communities.

  • Woman wearing a black cap and apron, holding a tray with dried nuts or seeds, in a kitchen setting.

    Phoebe Preuss, founder of Living Koko is a passionate advocate for ethical cacao bean trade. Ensuring farmers are rewarded for their skills, whilst showcasing indigenous cultivation, traditional, and regenerative farming. Phoebe’s product range of cacao chocolate bars, cacao teas, and delicious drinking cacao are testament to the cacao craft her team brings to Living Koko.

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  • Close-up of dried cacao pods stacked on top of each other outdoors under a partly cloudy sky.

    At Living Koko, quality begins with the cacao itself. Sourced from the lush soils of Samoa, every bean is grown organically and harvested with care to preserve its natural richness and traditional farming practices. The result is drinking cacao that’s velvety and full-bodied, cacao chocolate bars that showcase pure cacao flavour with smooth, balanced notes, and cacao husk teas that are delicate, aromatic, and naturally uplifting.

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  • Group of people, mostly women, smiling and posing for a photo in a lush green outdoor setting, some wearing hats and rain boots.

    Living Koko is more than cacao delicacies – it’s a connection to land, people, and tradition. By sourcing directly from Samoan farmers, every product helps strengthen local economies and preserve generational knowledge of cacao cultivation. The journey of cacao follows the waka (canoe), a symbol of Pacific resilience and community, carrying with it stories, heritage, and cultural pride. Living Koko honours these traditions by ensuring farmers are paid fairly, practices remain sustainable, and cultural values are woven into every bar, tea, and blend.

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