Belize Peini Organic Cacao Cocoa Beans 1kg

Punta Gorda (Peini), Toledo District, Belize

Story

According to the accounts of Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, the area that is now Toledo has long been recognised for its cultivation and trading of cocoa. In southern Belize, 90% of cocoa growers are subsistence farmers who get government land grants but are unable to afford to cultivate it themselves and lack dependable distribution channels for their beans. Peini Plantation has been cultivating cacao on 96 acres of land since 2016. It buys cacao from these farmers via Belize Cacao Trade, a sibling firm.

In addition to offering these farmers thousands of free seedlings, the Na'Lu'Um Cacao Institute, an organisation of nearby Mayan cacao growers, also helped them with training and microfinance.

Harvest

November to June

Genetics

This cacao is a local Belizean Trinitario variety hybridized with local Criollo.

Post Harvesting Process

Post-harvesting takes place in a centralized facility. The beans are fermented in boxes made of Santa Maria wood for 7 days. Once the fermentation process is complete, beans are transported by wheelbarrow to drying decks. Beans are left on the wooden drying tables and raked properly until it has reached a certain degree of appearance.

Flavour

Strong body with a pleasant fresh citrus acidity. Notes of tropical soft fruits: banana, zapote and star fruit followed by peanuts and cashew notes.