Where does Trinitario cocoa come from?

A low-growing, tropical shrub native to South America, this plant prefers warmer climate zones similar to that of its homeland. This tree will grow to between 12 and 15′ tall and produces large yellow pods that contain the earthy cacao bean.

What are the 4 types of cocoa?

There are four main varieties of the cacao plant: forastero, criollo, trinitario, and nacional. Both the criollo and forastero variety originated in the Amazon basin.

How was the Trinitario variety of cocoa created?

The Trinitario group represents a unique hybrid collection of types that arose in Trinidad [from crossings between mixed Criollo and mixed Forastero types] in the late 18th century following the devastation of the existing Criollo material in the 1720s.

How can you tell if you have Criollo cacao?

Criollo is often described as being mildly acidic and rarely bitter. Criollo fans say it has a mild taste with secondary aromas of nuts, caramel, fruit, and tobacco. As for Trinitario, you’ll often hear that it has most of the powerful cocoa taste of Forastero but is generally less acidic and bitter.

What are Criollo cacao beans?

The Criollo variety is a pure cacao variety, unlike the higher yielding Trinitario cacao that has been planted in much of the area. Criollo beans are smaller, and have historically been grown more for personal use than commercial use.

Can you eat cacao beans?

Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate one can consume. Whether consumed in powder form, as cacao nibs or cacao beans, it is far less processed than its heated and treated cocoa counterpart.

What is the difference between cacao and cocoa?

So, cacao powder is made from fermented beans that have not been roasted. They are processed at low temperatures and then milled into a powder. Cocoa powder on the other hand is made from beans that are both fermented and roasted, and then processed at a much higher temperature.

What does Criollo taste like?

A Peruvian Criollo, for instance, has a fruity, winey, somewhat bitter flavor profile, whereas a Criollo from Venezuela adds a cocoa, nutty flavor into the mix of fruity and bitter.

Where are Criollo beans grown?

One of the largest producers of Criollo beans is Venezuela (Chuao and Porcelana). Trinitario (from Trinidad) is a hybrid between Criollo and Forastero varieties.

Where does Criollo cacao come from?

The Criollo tree is native to Central and South America as well as the Caribbean islands and Sri Lanka. Only 5\% of the world’s production is Criollo. Criollos are particularly difficult to grow, as they are extremely vulnerable to a variety of environmental threats.

Which country produces the best cacao?

Ecuador. Ecuador is home to some of the best cacao beans in the world. Only approximately 5\% of cacao in the world is labeled as “Fine Aroma,” and Ecuador produces nearly 63\% of it.

What are Forastero and Trinitario cocoa beans?

Forastero is primarily cultivated in West Africa and is known as bulk cocoa. This cocoa is generally earthy and simple. Trinitario beans while not as rare as criollo still only make up less than 10\% of the total cacao production. This hybrid strain spread from the Caribbean islands to South America in the 19th and 20th centuries.

What is Trinitario cacao?

Trinitario cacao is a variety of cacao beans with different flavours, yields and pest resistance than the common bulk forestaro bean (often of the clone type CCN-51). Unlike bulk cacao, Trinitario is known as a fine-flavour cacao wich is better tasting and commads more premium prices than regular bulk cacao. This is…

What is the difference between Criollo and Trinitario beans?

Better quality Criollo and Trinitario beans are lower yielding and therefore considerably more expensive. In Spanish, Criollo means ‘of local origin’. This is a very high quality cocoa bean and is very aromatic and lacks bitterness.

What are the different varieties of cocoa beans?

The Different Varieties of Cocoa Beans: Criollo, Trinitario & Forastero. Most large-scale chocolate is made from Forastero beans – an unexceptional but high-yielding variety from Brazil and W Africa. Better quality Criollo and Trinitario beans are lower yielding and therefore considerably more expensive.