Region and Country
Turrialba, Costa Rica
Story
Finca Tres Equis is a family farm dedicated to conservation and eco and agrotourism in an area of 318 hectares. The farm is surrounded by lush nature, spectacular views of the Turrialba Volcano and privileged access to the Pacuare River. Finca Tres Equis is located within the Paso del Jaguar Biological Subcorridor and borders the Cabécar Indigenous Reserve; and with its more than 280 hectares of forest it is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and flora.
In 2014, after much searching, Rausch Chocolate established a cacao plantation within the farm. The 40 hectare farm was established on depleted pastureland which has slowly been turning into a rich agroforestry system after more than 37 native tree species were re-introduced. The seedlings were planted amongst mango, papaya and banana trees to provide the best conditions for the cacao plants to grow. Due to its location, Finca Tres Equis regularly exchanges ideas and experiences with their partners and cocoa farmers from other fine flavor cocoa plantations. The plantation is a training platform to promote every step from cultivation to processing of the fine flavor cocoa and to bring it closer to interested partners. In this way, they can offer complete transparency for everyone - including the end consumers.
Learn more about Finca Tres Equis
here. Want to know more about Rausch and their cacao and chocolate projects? You can visit their website
here.
Harvest
Main Crop: July - February; Mid-crop: March – June
Genetics
Trinitario hybrids
Post Harvesting Process
The cocoa beans are collected fresh and are centrally fermented and dried. Fermentation takes place in tiered wooden boxes and moved every two days from one box to another. The process lasts a total of 5 to 6 days, depending on the weather conditions and on the proportion of clones in the mix. Drying takes place on wooden beds inside solar tunnels.
Flavour
Powerful chocolate base with a citrus tang, medium-high bitterness; notes of gooseberries/physalis, starfruit and roasted nuts (sesame, peanuts).
