Ecuador Tsáchila

Region and Country

Guayas, Los Rios Province, Ecuador

Story

Cacao cultivation in Ecuador can be traced back to more than 5000 years ago. Cocoa beans were the first product ever exported from the country. Exports began in 1830, when wealthy families bought acres of land to invest in cocoa production.
Nacional Arriba beans are grown in the upriver areas of the Guayas River in the lowland provinces of Ecuador: Guayas, Bolivar, Cotopaxi and Los Rios. Legend tells that in the 19th century, a Swiss chocolate maker encountered locals with freshly harvested cacao while navigating along the Guayas River. When he asked where it came from, they responded “río arriba” or upriver. The name Nacional Arriba was thus coined.
These beans are cultivated in the tropical lowlands of the Northwest by Tsáchila community, in the Pacific coast of Ecuador in an area known as Santo Domingo.
The Tsáchila population is dispersed among 7 communes: Búa, Chiguilpe, Poste, Peripe, Otongo Mapali, Congoma and Naranjos. These beans are collected from these 7 different communes. Cocoa is grown alongside other crops such as plantain, cassava, yams, peppers, maize and rice. Tsáchila men are distinguished by a very particular hairstyle that they achieve by shaping their hair into a helmet-like feature with a mix of grease and achiote seeds. Spaniards called the Tsáchilas the “Colorados” because they used to cover their entire bodies in achiote juice.

Harvest

March – June (main crop), December – January (mid-crop)

Genetics

Arriba Nacional and CCN51

Post Harvesting Process

After harvest the beans are fermented in wooden boxes and turned every 24 hours. Drying is done in sunlight to optimize flavour and aromas.

Flavour

Mild body with a medium chocolate base with notes of spiced biscuit, wood and nuts and slight floral and fruit hints.