Chuncho

Peru

CHUNCHO

Stunning heirloom varietal with delicate floral and citrus aromas layered within an approachable base chocolate.

These rare beans are sourced and processed by the Alto Urubamba cooperative, located at the foothills of the Andes.

“Chuncho” refers to a unique collection of heirloom genetics endemic to this region that tend to have small beans which pack big flavor.

The Chuncho cacao trees grow at a high altitude, between 800-1000 meters above sea level. The Alto Urubamba cooperative is deeply connected in the livelihoods of its members, with complete transparency on the coop’s sales and operations presented regularly to producers for review, and through a suite of ongoing trainings related to agronomy, income diversification, animal pasturing, health and pandemic preparedness. They are certified organic and Fair Trade.

TERROIR

Historically, Cuzco was the region with the highest production of cacao in Peru and the cacao is known for having a bright and fruity profile. After commercialization of cacao in the Jungle departments (Amazonas, San Martin, Huánuco), Cuzco has fallen in the production scale compared to the other departments but the cacao is still very unique and special. The zone in Cuzco where cacao was traditionally from is the Urubamba valley. This is the main valley where the Incas would come from the Andes to reach the jungle. This was their route into the jungle. Chuncho is native to Cuzco department and has been classified as its own genetic variety. From an academic perspective Chuncho is very sought after, mainly because of its genetic isolation it has had in this region. University of Urubamba is doing these studies currently

These rare beans are sourced and processed by the Alto Urubamba cooperative, located at the foothills of the Andes.

“Chuncho” refers to a unique collection of heirloom genetics endemic to this region that tend to have small beans which pack big flavor.

The Chuncho cacao trees grow at a high altitude, between 800-1000 meters above sea level. The Alto Urubamba cooperative is deeply connected in the livelihoods of its members, with complete transparency on the coop’s sales and operations presented regularly to producers for review, and through a suite of ongoing trainings related to agronomy, income diversification, animal pasturing, health and pandemic preparedness. They are certified organic and Fair Trade.

TERROIR

Historically, Cuzco was the region with the highest production of cacao in Peru and the cacao is known for having a bright and fruity profile. After commercialization of cacao in the Jungle departments (Amazonas, San Martin, Huánuco), Cuzco has fallen in the production scale compared to the other departments but the cacao is still very unique and special. The zone in Cuzco where cacao was traditionally from is the Urubamba valley. This is the main valley where the Incas would come from the Andes to reach the jungle. This was their route into the jungle. Chuncho is native to Cuzco department and has been classified as its own genetic variety. From an academic perspective Chuncho is very sought after, mainly because of its genetic isolation it has had in this region. University of Urubamba is doing these studies currently

Order Sample

Samples are only available from the USA

Wholesale Orders

Order Sample

Samples are only available from the USA

Wholesale Orders

2022 Chuncho Farmgate price

$2.28 USD

This is the actual price paid to the cacao producer for their product (typically on a per kg or per lb basis) when they sell it to the first buyer.

Farmgate price is often paid for "wet" or fresh cacao, recently harvested and scooped out of cracked pods for sale. Wet cacao loses 60-70% of its weight during fermentation and drying, typically reaching 7-8% humidity before it is sold.

Uncommon calculates farmgate price for each cacao supplier based on the specific weight loss conversion percentage provided to us by the supplier, and we report farmgate price on a per kg dried equivalent basis for all cacao beans we source.

Pictured is María Elena Avilez Rojas in a Chuncho cacao tree that has been producing for over 50 years!

2022 Chuncho Association price

$3.95 USD

This is the price the exporter pays the association for cacao.

In some cases in our supply chain there is an organized group of producers that aggregate cacao and sell it to an exporter.

2022 Chuncho FOB price

$5.00 USD

This is the price paid by Uncommon to our partners for cacao transported and loaded onto a ship for export.

Uncommon then covers all of the costs of shipping, freight charges, insurance, import, domestic logistics, warehouse ingestion, customs and duties.

Free on board (FOB) is an international shipping term that represents the seller's responsibility for bringing the cacao over the rails of the export ship.

2022 Chuncho Average sales price

$8.61 USD

This is the weighted average price per kg for cacao sold to the premium & ultra premium chocolate makers who purchased it during this year from Uncommon Cacao.