Our Rare Ecuadorian Nacional Cacao

Our rare Ecuadorian Nacional cacao traces its genetic lineage back at least 5,300 years. Until recently, this revered variety was believed to be extinct.

The Legend of Nacional Cacao

3300 BC

The Mayo-Chichipe Discover Cacao

3300 BC

The Mayo-Chichipe Discover Cacao

Archeologists have traced the origins of the cacao tree to modern-day Ecuador, where they found evidence of cacao domestication dating back at least 5,300 years from the Mayo-Chinchipe culture. Nacional cacao is genetically linked to these trees.

1870 AD

Nacional Becomes Europe’s Favorite Cacao

1870 AD

Nacional Becomes Europe’s Favorite Cacao

By the 19th century, Nacional cacao was considered by many European chocolatiers the most coveted source of cacao in the world, prized for its floral aroma and complex flavor profile.

1916

The Outbreak of Witches’ Broom Disease

1916

The Outbreak of Witches’ Broom Disease

The golden era of Ecuadorian cacao came to an end in 1916 when an outbreak of “Witches’ Broom” disease decimated the Nacional variety.

2000

Near Extinction of Nacional Cacao

2000

Near Extinction of Nacional Cacao

By the end of the 20th century, Nacional cacao was on the brink of extinction. Some experts believed genetically pure Nacional cacao no longer existed.

2009

The Search for Ancient Nacional Comes Up Short

2009

The Search for Ancient Nacional Comes Up Short

INIAP, Ecuador’s National Institute of Agricultural Research, genetically tested 11,000 cacao trees throughout Ecuador and only found a mere six trees that were Ancient Nacional.

2013

To’ak Identifies Ancient Nacional

2013

To’ak Identifies Ancient Nacional

Our own search for Ancient Nacional led us deep into the low-lying mountains of the famous “Arriba” cacao-growing region in the hinterlands of the province of Manabí. At the end of the line was the valley of Piedra de Plata, which was disconnected by road from the rest of the country until the 1990s.

2016

Heirloom Cacao Designation

2016

Heirloom Cacao Designation

To’ak began sourcing from cacao pods that match the morphological and color profile of heirloom Nacional cacao referenced from DNA testing. Our cacao was awarded the Heirloom designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund. Read about our efforts to conserve ancient Nacional cacao.

2018

The Genetic Bank

2018

The Genetic Bank

To’ak began working with local farmers, the rainforest conservation foundation TMA (Third Millennium Alliance), and multiple universities to preserve the pure Nacional genotype through grafting and propagation in the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve in coastal Ecuador.

2020

Regenerative Cacao Project

2020

Regenerative Cacao Project

We’re using cacao trees to help restore forest on degraded agricultural land. We’re doing this in partnership with TMA (Third Millennium Alliance), a nonprofit rainforest conservation organization that has been protecting and restoring forests in Ecuador since 2007. Learn more about regenerative cacao.

The Farmers

As we started to spend more time in Piedra de Plata, we built a relationship with the men and women who organically grow and harvest cacao on small family farms in what has since become a highly revered appellation. With a small group of these cacao growers, we formed a partnership. Today, we continue working with local farmers as part of our Regenerative Agroforestry program.

Reversing Deforestation

In Partnership With TMA

We’re using regenerative agroforestry to restore forest on degraded agricultural land. It’s a holistic reforestation project that combines cacao trees with a diversity of tall native shade trees, fruit trees, and other food crops. Regenerative agroforestry helps restore forest, boost farmer incomes and local food security, absorb CO2, and improve the overall health of the ecosystem.

Read more about how we are using cacao to reverse deforestation.

The Arriba Legend

Nacional is the name of the cacao variety while Arriba is the name of the growing region. This area is defined by the boundaries of the watersheds of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers—roughly the size of Burgundy, France.

In the 19th century, a Swiss chocolatier was navigating the Guayas River in coastal Ecuador. During his voyage, he encountered a group of farmers transporting sacks of Nacional cacao that had an unusually rich and floral aroma.

Naturally, the chocolatier asked the farmers where this cacao had come from. The farmers simply replied “arriba” (meaning “upriver”) and pointed in that direction.

Subsequently, cacao grown along the upper tributaries of the Guayas river basin (namely, the watersheds of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers) became one of the most highly sought sources of cacao in European chocolate circles, and was given the name “Arriba.”