Costa Esmeraldas Ecuador Single Estate Chocolate

Costa Esmeraldas — Ecuador

"Travel with us to the northern Ecuadorian coast and taste our expression of Nacional Cacao. Here you will find harmony between the sea breeze and the last patches of coastal cloud forest." The Salazar Family

Oh yes Salazar family, we for sure will be traveling there with every precious taste!  Gorgeous red beans beautifully fermented and meticulously cared for.   Be sure to read about the Salazar Family in the notes below because they are doing amazing things at their farm.

Available in the Large 3 oz Grand Adventure Bar or in 0.4 oz Tasting Tiles - in your choice of Dark 75% and/or the Dark Milk coming in at a big 64%.

• Origin: Ecuador
• Farm: Costa Esmeraldas (Single Estate)
• Genetics/Type: Ecuadorian Nacional Hybrids
• Cacao certifications: Direct trade, uncertified organic
• Flavor notes: The dark bar has cherry, fudgey brownie, apricot jam, raisin and raspberry notes and something else interesting I can't quite place but I'm wondering if it is the special wood they use for the fermentation boxes. See what you think. The dark milk bar mirrors all those but has a beautiful creamy veil over all. Not too sweet. Really lovely.
• Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter (milk varieties include whole milk powder)
• Allergens: The dark-milk bar contains milk. (The dark bar is completely vegan)

From the Salazar Family: "We operate a family owned cacao orchard in the northern coast of Ecuador, in the Esmeraldas province. Since 2008 we have made efforts to rehabilitate cattle pasture and mono-crop forest plantations into agroforestry systems where cacao is intercropped with fruit and local trees. One of our goals is to protect primary and secondary-growth forest. In here we can host local and endangered species that are left without a home due to the continuous expansion of the agricultural frontier.

Cacao produced in these agroforestry systems is carefully and meticulously processed, resulting in true exotic flavours featuring: Clean and clear raisin browned fruit note, and fresh fruit notes, floral, blueberry, coconut. Herbal or green bitter taste. Good balance to the core attributes. Mild sweetness. Astringency has a "velvety" quality. *

Costa Esmeraldas won the Cocoa of Excellence cacao liquor tasting evaluation and award 2019 edition.

Travel with us to the northern Ecuadorian coast and taste our expression of Nacional Cacao. Here you will find harmony between the sea breeze and the last patches of coastal cloud forest.

There are myriad and diverse wildlife in the region which are able to travel through our orchard via wild-life corridors. We aim to leave better soil, water and wildlife corridors for the generations to come. The Salazar family began to change the environment by implementing a new model, cultivating cocoa, fruit trees and species from the area, which creates an environment that attracts species of local flora and fauna to re-inhabit the place. After a period of research, they set out to produce the best cocoa beans in the world; taking care of every step of the cultivation, harvest and postharvest; in a meticulous, careful and detailed way in order to enhance the flavors and aromas of its beans. It is thanks to this effort, perseverance and commitment that it has become recognized as one of the best cocoa beans in the world."