In 1974, Claudio Corallo arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after completing his training as an agricultural engineer at the Instituto Agronómico para o Ultramar. His early professional path began in Trieste as a diver, eventually shifting toward technical assistance for rural producers under a contract with the government of Mobutu Sese Seko.
Operations in Zaire
During his time in the Congo, Corallo purchased 1,250 hectares of coffee plantations located in the Lomela region. Because the area lacked reliable infrastructure, he navigated the Congo River by canoe, a journey requiring two weeks. He intended to construct a specialized boat, the DB,1, to shorten this transit time, but regional political instability ultimately forced his departure from the country.
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Take the IQ test →Relocation to São Tomé and Príncipe
Corallo moved to São Tomé and Príncipe in December 1992 to focus on cocoa cultivation. He analyzed various international cocoa varieties, including those from Bolivia, and concluded that local processing failures—specifically moisture storage issues and equatorial heat—contributed to unwanted bitterness. To rectify these problems, he established a dedicated laboratory for roasting, peeling, and rinding, allowing for controlled fermentation experiments.
Agricultural Development and Production
He acquired a 120-hectare abandoned plantation known as Terreiro Velho on Príncipe to refine his output. By managing the production chain from the tree to the finished product, he expanded his interests to include high-quality coffee production in Nova Moca, near Monte Café. These efforts culminated in the creation of his refined gastronomy business, Claudio Corallo Cacao and Coffee.
Educational Contributions
Beyond his business ventures, Corallo served as an educator in agrarian science. He held teaching positions at the Higher Polytechnic Institute and the Centro de Aperfeiçoamento Técnico Agropecuário. Both institutions later became integral campuses of the University of São Tomé and Príncipe, where he contributed his expertise in agricultural engineering.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Florence, Italy
- Citizenship: Italy
- Primary Occupations: Entrepreneur, chocolatier, agricultural engineer
- University of São Tomé and Príncipe connection: Educator and alumnus
- Primary business: Claudio Corallo Cacao and Coffee
- Key acquisition: 120-hectare Terreiro Velho plantation
Questions readers ask
What caused the bitterness in the cocoa Corallo initially studied?
He identified that the bitterness was caused by processing failures, poor moisture storage, and the impact of the region's equatorial heat.
Where did Corallo study agricultural engineering?
He trained at the Instituto Agronómico para o Ultramar in 1974.
Achievements
- Educated at University of São Tomé and Príncipe
