What is Criollo Cacao?
Criollo Cacao beans are known for their rare and exotic flavor profile, standing out among the three main cocoa bean varieties. Accounting for just 2% of the global cacao supply, Criollo Cacao is considered the first heirloom variety of cacao, believed to have originated in Amazonas, Peru. This highly sought-after cacao is prized for its complex and rich taste, making it a favorite among chocolatiers.
Trinitario Cacao
While Criollo Cacao is an important heirloom variety, a hybrid strain known as Trinitario has emerged from cross-pollination between Criollo Cacao and Forastero beans. Often referred to as a "best-of-both-worlds" cacao, Trinitario combines the hardiness of Forastero with the delicate flavors of Criollo Cacao. This cacao requires specific growing conditions and accounts for about 10-13% of global cocoa production, delivering a fruity and mild acidity flavor.
Forastero Cacao
Commonly referred to as “bulk cocoa”, Forastero actually accounts for 80-85% of the world’s cocoa production capacity, and is the one that you’ll be most likely to find at any given large supermarket. It has become the world’s most widely grown cacao fruit due to its unique robust properties that make it more hearty and capable to withstand greater weather variation like lack of rainfall that can plague cocoa growing regions during this time of climate change. This cacao can be traditional fudgey tasting or wet and fruity. A lot of this depends on how the cacao is handled and fermented.
What Makes Criollo Cacao So Special?
The main reason why Criollo chocolate is so rare is the fact that it’s very difficult to cultivate: Criollo beans are susceptible to harsh weather conditions. Raw Criollo beans are also delicate and floral in smell and flavor, attracting all sorts of pollinators which include some not so favorable pests and bugs. Amazonian moths are attracted to the Criollo floral fragrance and they can ruin an entire chocolate plantations. On top of all that, Criollo cacao fruit don’t produce as many cocoa beans as the other varieties – the low yields aren’t particularly enticing for farmers who want to sell their cocoa beans in bulk and are paid per pound.
The factors that make Criollo cacao so vulnerable to environmental hazards are also what makes Criollo so awesome. There is a very mild bitterness to its flavor, with the fruity notes being forward and a touch of nut like nuances. The aroma of Criollo beans is slightly acidic, sweet and nutty.
If you consider yourself to be a true chocolate enthusiast and have not yet experienced the incredible flavor of organic Criollo chocolate please try out our Organic Criollo Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate Wafers. You'll be surprised.