Not all cocoa beans are the same. There are different varieties of cocoa beans, they are grown in different territories, as a result of which they differ significantly in taste.
According to their growing region, cocoa beans are divided into three groups:
1. african cocoa beans
2. american cocoa beans
3. Asian Cocoa Beans
In general, several varieties of cocoa beans are distinguished:
1. two main varieties, differing in degree of bitterness:
- Forastero - Forastero (have strong bitterness)
- Criolo - Criollo (have little bitterness)
2. and intermediate varieties:
- Nacional - Nacional (Arriba), a species of forastero,
- Trinitario - Trinitario, which is a mixed variety of cryollo and forastero.
- New varieties representing various modifications of known varieties or improved varieties of varieties.
Criolo, Nacional and Trinitario are classified as elite varieties of cocoa beans, so their cost is quite high.
Forastero cocoa is the widest variety with relatively low prices.
Varieties of cocoa beans are usually called by the names of the countries where they are grown:
- African varieties of cocoa beans called : "Cote d’Ivoire", "Ghana", "Nigeria", "Cameroon", "Angola",
- Asian varieties of cocoa beans are called : "Ceylon", "Java",
- American varieties of cocoa beans : Cuba, Arriba, Grenada, Trinidad, Bahia.
What is the difference between cocoa beans?
By taste, the varieties of natural cocoa beans differ in the presence of bitterness, sourness, astringency, sweetness, a rich taste and floral aroma. By the territorial origin of cocoa beans can be grown in Asia, Africa, in America.
Chocolate trees on which cocoa beans grow are located at the equator: in Asia, Africa, Central and South America. Nearly 45 countries market their cocoa beans.
The largest cocoa bean plantations grow in Brazil, Indonesia, Cote d'Ivoire.
Côte d'Ivoire supplies more than 30% of the world's cocoa beans and is their main producer .
Ghana is on the second place in the supply of cocoa beans, and the varieties of cocoa beans in Ghana have a bright chocolate taste, bitterness and no sourness.
On the third is Indonesia.
Fourth place for growing cocoa beans is Nigeria.
Cameroon is in fifth place for the supply of cocoa beans.
In Brazil, a place called "cacao coast" allows you to grow cocoa beans, which occupy sixth place in the world in terms of volume.
Further, by volume of cocoa beans are imported from:
- Ecuador, an Ecuadorian variety of cocoa beans with a delicate aroma, thanks to the special soil and unique climate,
- Togo
- Papua New Guinea. Varieties of cocoa beans Papua New Guinea differ sweetish with bitterness, with a bright, multi-faceted deep aroma,
- Dominican Republic. Two varieties of cocoa beans grow in the Dominican Republic: Sanchez and Hispaniola (premium cocoa bean variety) (Sanchez and Hispaniola),
- Colombia. Colombian cocoa bean variety - Fino de Aroma cocoa, which is distinguished by pronounced floral, nut, fruit and malt notes of taste, Colombia Santander,
- Peru, Peruvian varieties of cocoa beans have an unusual taste and strong aroma,
- Mexico. Mexican varieties of cocoa beans,
- Venezuela. Venezuelan cocoa bean variety: Sur del Lago, has a fruity-grape aroma, citrus and hazelnut flavor, sour taste and very low astringency
- Malaysia, which invests no more than 1% in the global production of cocoa beans.