Wild harvested cacao from the region around Baures, Bolivia, close to the Reserva Forestal Itenez and the Río Blanco.

These beans are rare, native Beniano cacao from the wild Itenez, Bolivia forests, gathered and processed by local producers. All Beniano cacao wild forests are called “chocolatales” in Bolivia. According to Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) genetic tests, the cacao is 97.3% Beniano Boliviano with 2.7% Upper Amazon Forastero. This initiative to support collectors of native, wild cacaos was started by Agricultural Economist and General Manager of Rainforest Exquisite Products S.A. (REPSA) Volker Lehmann, who was responsible for pioneering the wild cacao trade starting in 2004, with the goal to increase the quality of the harvest process in order to ensure economic gains for all involved. The Itenez wild Bolivian beans are very small, but the flavor is robust and floral. We are thrilled to partner with Volker and the communities in Bolivia to offer this unique and special cacao.

TERROIR

This cacao grows wild in the water- rich forests of the Bolivian Amazon. The “chocolatales” are often large swathes of islands reachable only by boat, and are considered community territory belonging to the families who live in the region. Expert gatherers indigenous to the Beni region travel during the short harvest season into the chocolatales to collect ripe yellow pods. The genetics of this cacao is primarily (97.3%) Beniano Boliviano, a unique genetic group that tends to produce very small and flavorful seeds.