Chocolate's origins

where chocolate comes from

cacao around the globe 

Chocolate is a product of the cacao bean (also known as a cocoa bean) which grows in pod-like fruits on tropical cacao trees.

Ground up and roasted, cacao beans are the all-natural raw material for the chocolate we love. Most of the chocolate we eat has its roots in Africa, which generates about 70% of the world’s cacao beans.

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Bulk Beans vs. Flavor Beans: The Workhorses and The Thoroughbreds

When it comes to flavor, Africa is known for producing large quantities of good cacao beans, but Latin America and the Caribbean are known for producing beans with distinctive tasting notes.

Think of it this way: Africa is the cacao workhorse, producing a steady supply of dependable beans with classic cocoa flavor. The Caribbean and Latin America are the thoroughbreds...read more

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Kinds of Trees: Forastero, Criollo and Trinitario

There are three main kinds of cacao trees grown throughout the world, each with their own flavor profiles and growth characteristics. There also are hundreds and hundreds of different hybrids...read more

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Mixing Beans: A Blend For The Perfect Taste

As a general rule, Forastero beans are used as bulk beans and Trinitario and Criollo are used as flavor beans. Many chocolate bars combine both kinds of beans: bulk beans for consistent chocolate flavor and flavor beans for unique tasting notes. But the overwhelming majority...read more

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Ecuador: Flavor Capitol

The biggest producer of flavor beans is Ecuador which supplies more than half the world's supply, approximately 70 thousand tons a year. Fellow Latin American countries, the Caribbean region, Asia...read more

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Factors Affecting Taste: The Origins of Flavor

Like wine, chocolate reflects the distinct flavors of its region. The kind of cacao beans grown, climate conditions, and how the beans are dried and fermented vary from country to country. All these factors play an important role...read more

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Flavors Across the Globe: Tasting Notes by Country

Following is a list of unique flavor notes by country. The list was principally developed by the respected artisanal chocolate company...read more