Costa Esmeraldas Cacao
Costa Esmeraldas Cacao Co. is the fruit of a dream to reconnect with nature, our roots and genuine flavors.
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.
