Your Guide to Different Types of Cocoa Beans
Posted on December 05 2024
Like any fine wine maker, a good chocolate maker knows that understanding the types of cocoa is important. After all, this helps them assess unique flavor profiles, aromas, and characteristics that each variety brings to the table. While most of the world’s chocolate is made with low-grade bulk cocoa beans of Forastero variety, artisan chocolatiers focus on using fine cocoa bean variety. In fact, they often make their chocolates with rare bean varieties. Many of such exquisite chocolates – consisting of high-end cocoa beans – are featured in our collection. Here is a comprehensive guide on different cocoa names and what makes each of them special.
What are the Different Types of Cocoa Beans?
There are four primary types of cocoa beans. Each of these come from a different variety of cocoa plant. The cocoa names are:
- Forastero
- Criollo
- Trinitario
- Nacional
Both Forastero and Criollo originate from the Amazon basin, but vary from each other in a lot of ways. Criollo is known for being delicate and challenging to cultivate. On the other hand, Forastero is easier to grow and more readily available. Therefore, it spread rapidly across different regions of the world.
Cocoa Fact!
During the 1700s, nearly all the variety of Criollo cacao plants was wiped out because of natural disasters and diseases. This prompted farmers to cultivate a new hybrid which is known as Trinitario.
At Cocoa store, we highlight artisanal chocolate brands who offer the most exquisite experience of high-end cocoa beans. Explore our collection and you are all set to fall in love with chocolate all over again. Let me tell you, the above is some surface level knowledge on different cacao plants and cocoa names. If you are a true chocolate lover, there is a lot more for you to know. Here is a comprehensive guide on all the different cocoa bean varieties.
1. Forastero Cocoa
Among all cocoa names, the Forastero continues to dominate global chocolate production. After all, they are easy to grow and have a relatively high yield. Besides, they are disease-resistant too. In fact, because of this reason, it has often replaced the more delicate Criollo variety (which offers more complex and indulgent flavors). You can even think of Forastero beans like any grocery store item - easily available, reliable, and pretty standard. It’s mainly grown in West Africa and has become a staple in the chocolate industry. All because it is the foundation ingredient for a wide range of popular chocolates (usually commercial) around the world.
Did You Know?
Forastero cocoa is also known as bulk cocoa beans.
Although it won’t offer a gourmet experience like Criollo, people still heavily consume it because it’s in so many chocolate products. Many consider it a no-fine flavor kind of cacao that definitely won’t offer the fine flavor ride a true chocolate lover expects from their bar of chocolate.
2. Criollo Cocoa
Because of its unique and rich flavor profile, Criollo beans are highly regarded as super fine cocoa. Besides, they are delicate, prone to disease, and produce much less cocoa. This is why they account for a very less percentage of the total world’s cocoa production. And just like most rare things, Criollo has become a sought-after treasure - especially for artisan chocolate makers. Criollo cocoa is known for its fruity notes, strong aroma, and very low bitterness. Therefore, chocolate connoisseurs who love complex flavors consider it a favorite. Besides, Criollo can be found in these different varieties named after the regions they grow in:
- Porcelana
- Chuao
- Ocumare
Craft chocolate makers look for these heirloom varieties to produce marvels in the world of chocolate. Through our well-curated, premium collection, we are all set to offer the ultimate in chocolate experience. With us, you can try out Criollo chocolate from artisan brands like Puchero, Bonnat, Domori, Castronovo, Sierra Sagrada, Krak, and several other known brands.
3. Trinitario Cocoa
This is a hybrid strain of two well-known cocoa varieties: Criollo and Forastero. So, because it is the least pure, Trinitario offers a wide range of flavor profiles as compared to any other variety since it carries the traits of both parent beans. The ratio of Criollo to Forastero ratio and the terroir of the cacao bean greatly affects the flavor and qualities in Trinitario cocoa. Furthermore, it’s more disease resistant than Criollo and way better tasting than Forastero. This is among the most popular cocoa names and a popular choice of chocolate makers who produce high-end artisan chocolates.
The cultivation and popularity of Trinitario beans started off from the Caribbean islands and spread to South America in the 19th and 20th centuries.
4. Nacional Cocoa
The fourth among cocoa bean varieties is Nacional. It’s the rarest variety of cocoa cultivated in South African areas like Ecuador and Peru. During the 18th and 19th centuries, nacional was considered as one of the most desired cocoa beans - all because of its complex flavor profile and floral aroma. However, many chocolate experts considered Nacional beans extinct in the 21st century until 2011. What happened afterward? Well, these beans were rediscovered in 2011 in Peru. Chocolates that consist of these beans are creamy, decadent, and purely indulgent. At Cocoa Store, you can find Nacional chocolates from SOMA, Ritual, Orfève, Goodnow Farms, Domori, Purchero, and then some. Explore our collection today and find your next favorite.
Conclusion
Bean-to-bar luxury chocolate makers are usually very mindful about the cocoa bean varieties they use in their products. After all, they aim to not just make ordinary treats. In fact, they create a unique journey of chocolate’s flavors, textures, and aroma. Usually, Forastero is the least preferred choice of artisans because its taste profile is not as fine as its counterparts. Other than this, Criollo is rare yet a well-known choice for luxury chocolates. Trinitario, a hybrid cocoa strain, is a marvel of the chocolate world. Discovered amid Criollo’s shortage, it made its place in the industry because of the distinct profile it brings to the chocolate. And lastly, the rarest of them all: Nacional! All these cocoa names bring different traits and flavors to the chocolate they make.
If you want to see how different cocoa varieties impact the chocolate experience, we have you covered. We have the finest variety of luxury artisan chocolate, featuring different types of rare, high-quality beans. All these products are made with the best cocoa from around the world with no artificial additives. We are here to refine your taste palate and reinvent the taste of chocolate for you! We keep on updating our selection so you can always come back for new luxurious varieties and new brands to explore.
