'ANCIENT ORIGIN' ARRIBA NACIONAL

Our ‘ancient origin' wild organic heirloom cacao comes from an established group of generational families in the heart of Ecuador, and is of the esteemed wild old growth heirloom Arriba Nacional genetics. Considered the rarest and most prized cacao worldwide for flavour and nutritional density, this bean makes up a fraction of 1% of cacao. With a genetic lineage that dates back over 5,000 years in Ecuador, it is the first known variety to be cultivated by humans.

We value and preserve the source of heirloom cacao with a relationship spanning over a decade of incredible consistency and integrity. Growing in one of the most bio diverse regions on Earth, this cacao is met with the highest standards of cultivation. The trees from this ‘ancient origin' cacao are anywhere from 20-200 years old, and we have seen first hand a tree that was 160 years old that yielded beautiful pods. The trees are rooted in mineral rich volcanic soil, fed by rain, glacial melt and natural springs. These elite genetics in this pristine jungle environment produce the best source of cacao we have found on earth.

The purveyors of these beans work with traditional methods we would call "craft". Hand peeling each bean and skillfully fermenting on site pronounces the flavour profile while protecting from exposure to heavy metals, mycotoxins and oxidation. We keep the true essence of the cacao with minimal processing, for a fine finish un-roasted tempered bar.

Our wild jungle cacao is not farmed or plantation cacao (which makes up over 95% of chocolate); does not support deforestation (it grows in the jungle many hours away from the closest paved roads); nor is it part of any unjust labour, being far greater than fair trade with wages 3 - 4 times the average. This is a holistic system centered around one of the most powerful plants in the world. And we stand for how this wild plant is being offered, minimizing 'human' intervention, transcending the destructive world of industrial cacao with creativity and love.

Our trusted source supersedes all standards of quality and our intention is to honour the quintessence of cacao and all it has to offer.