These extremely rare, Silvestre (Wild) cacao beans are another offering from our friend Volker Leahman (El Cacaotero). This wild harvest cacao (Beniano) from Rio Beni is collected and processed in Carmen del Emero. A small Tacana indigenous village at the lower southern part of the Madidi, situated at the banks of the river, about 8 hours by boat (peque) from Rurrenabaque, downstream. (See the attached map)
These cacao beans are significantly smaller than hybrid beans but they have 10% more cacao butter, and lots more flavor. Hybrid cacao beans have about 55% cacao butter, while Heirloom Beniano have 65%, which means higher percentage chocolate on the bar without additional cacao butter.
You can buy it here!
