Although Ecuador is smaller than many other countries of South America it boasts a surprising biodiversity of flora and fauna. This diversity is reflected in the singular varieties of native cacao found in the country. Recent archaeological studies have shown that Ecuador is most probably the place in which man domesticated the cacao plant, Theobroma Cacao. This took place around 5.000 years ago, almost 3.000 years before cacao-based beverages were used in the rituals of the Mesoamerican peoples. The much-prized cacao of Ecuador is the Nacional and it is considered, due to its organoleptic properties, to be one of the world’s best raw materials. For our bar we have selected Cacao Nacional di Galera San Francisco, found in the area of Esmeraldas, the coastal region on the Pacific Ocean in the north of the country. It is in this zone that the ancient native cacao trees grow. They maintain the properties of the Cacao Nacional, or rather of the “Complejo Nacional” –, but with particular characteristics which recall the typical flavour of albino cacao such as “porcelana” or “criollo” and are therefore defined Nacional Acriollado. 

Cacao: 72,5% min. Organic cacao nibs, organic coconut blossom sugar, organic raw cacao butter; Emulsifier: organic sunflower lecithin. May contain traces of nuts.

A particularly sweet and harmonious chocolate with notes of honey and molasses, ripe tropical fruit and flowers, with a finale with hints of cream and delicate citrus which enfolds the palate.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE FOR 100 g

Organic

Country of origin: Ecuador
Regions: Esmeraldas
Genetics: Nacional
Fermentation: wooden boxes
Produced by: UOPROCAE

50 g

​​Today Esmeraldas has the highest concentration of Afro-Ecuadorian people. We thus wanted to pay homage to them with the image of two women, the symbol of two generations which meet and present to us the best that their land has to offer. Their radiant faces show, better than a thousand words, the generosity of this marvellous land.
Photo Paolo Giocoso ©

Esmeraldas