Xocola

Xocola (pronounced "sho-ko-la") represents a groundbreaking achievement in cannabis edibles as Illinois' first Latino cannabis chocolate brand. Founded by Chicago native Chef Manuel "Manny" Mendoza, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and winner of Netflix's "Cooked with Cannabis" in 2020, Xocola emerged from Mendoza's Herbal Notes company, established in 2017 as a culinary cannabis supper club.Mendoza's journey began in Chicago's South Side, where he discovered his passion for cooking while helping his mother prepare family meals. After culinary school, he moved to California to deepen his understanding of sustainable agriculture and cannabis cultivation, working at farms, dispensaries, and juice companies. This experience revealed the intersection of food justice and cannabis equity, inspiring him to create a brand that celebrates cultural heritage while advancing social responsibility.Since launching Xocola, Mendoza has gained national recognition, hosting private events for artists like Kehlani and Tinashe while maintaining his commitment to elevating cannabis cuisine beyond traditional expectations.

Xocola specializes in bean-to-bar cannabis chocolates that are entirely organic, vegan, and loaded with superfood components including moringa leaf, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, adaptogenic mushrooms, and roots like Maca Root and Lucuma. The brand sources organic cacao directly from native communities across Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia through direct trade relationships.Their flagship product, OG Xoco Krispy, features live resin infusion designed for rapid onset and long-lasting effects, typically available in a 2:1 THC to CBD ratio. Each bar is individually wrapped and crafted with a proprietary blend that creates a holistic experience, combining plant protein and antioxidants with cannabis for balanced effects.Currently available throughout Illinois dispensaries including locations in Chicago, Niles, and surrounding areas, Xocola operates as a high-end edibles brand under the broader cannabis market, positioned alongside premium competitors like Mindy's and Kiva. The brand maintains artisanal production standards while scaling distribution across the state's licensed cannabis retail network.

Xocola's mission centers on redefining the intersection of chocolate and cannabis consumption while proudly celebrating rich cultural heritage and the sacred significance of cacao. The brand is dedicated to using cannabis as a tool for community healing and addressing social equity issues, particularly supporting communities of color most affected by cannabis prohibition.Through direct trade relationships with native cacao communities, Xocola promotes sustainable agriculture and economic empowerment. As an advisory board member of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, founder Manny Mendoza actively works to close disparities between marginalized communities and the emerging cannabis industry.The company strives to elevate cannabis conversations around the dinner table while providing education about food origins, medicinal benefits, and social responsibility. Xocola believes in cannabis as both medicine and a vehicle for cultural connection, community building, and healing generational trauma.