Rufi’s Cacao

By: Rufi and Connie

Three generations. One recipe. A love for Oaxacan chocolate.

I’m Rufi, from San Gabriel, Etla, Oaxaca. Together with my daughter Connie, we created Rufi’s Cacao to keep our family’s chocolate tradition alive—a tradition rooted in memory, migration, and love. It all began when my mother came to visit. Connie had brought home some cacao, and the three of us—three generations of women—gathered in the kitchen to make chocolate, just like we used to back home. We used our family’s ancestral recipe with locally sourced ingredients, and to our surprise, it tasted just like it did in Oaxaca. That moment was full of laughter, joy, and deep connection. We knew we had created something special—something worth sharing.

We are part of a nonprofit called Oakland Bloom, which supports immigrant and BIPOC chefs in bringing their food traditions to life. In Oakland Bloom, we are chefs from many places, but we’re united by food, care, and culture. Through their support, we found a space where we feel seen, encouraged, and inspired to grow. At Rufi’s Cacao, every batch of chocolate carries our story—our roots, our resilience, and a little piece of home. It’s our way of nourishing others—with chocolate, culture, and love.

Follow and Support Rufi’s Cacao:

• Instagram: @rufiscacao