Not all cacao is the same. Around the world, farmers grow different varieties, each with its own flavor, resilience, and history. Among them, one stands apart: Criollo, the rarest and most delicate cacao in the world. For centuries, it was considered nearly lost. Today, it is being carefully rediscovered and Costa Rica is part of that story.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we are proud to share the history, beauty, and taste of Criollo, a variety that represents both the origins and the future of fine chocolate.
What Makes Criollo So Rare?
Criollo is one of the original cacao varieties, prized for its smooth flavor, low bitterness, and complex tasting notes. While most cacao beans are robust and bold, Criollo offers delicate hints of fruit, nuts, and flowers.
But Criollo is also fragile. The trees are more susceptible to disease and produce fewer pods than other varieties. Over time, farmers shifted toward hardier hybrids, and Criollo became increasingly rare, accounting for less than 5% of the world’s cacao production today.
The History of Criollo in Central America
For Indigenous peoples across Central America, Criollo was the cacao of choice for rituals, medicine, and trade. It was this variety that earned the name “food of the gods.” In Costa Rica, Criollo was cultivated for centuries, but with colonization and the rise of global trade, its cultivation diminished in favor of higher-yielding types.
The rediscovery of Criollo today is reconnecting with history and cultural context.
Costa Rica’s Role in the Rediscovery
Costa Rica’s volcanic soils and biodiverse rainforests make it one of the best places to revive Criollo. In Guanacaste and Upala, small farms and cooperatives are planting Criollo trees once again, nurturing them with agroforestry methods that protect biodiversity and honor tradition.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we’ve seen how this variety demands patience and care. But rewards us with a flavor profile unlike any other. Every pod feels like a piece of living history.
The Flavor of Criollo
What sets Criollo apart is its extraordinary taste. Instead of the bitterness many associate with dark chocolate, Criollo is naturally smooth and aromatic. Notes of dried fruit, soft floral tones, and even light nutty accents appear as you let it melt on your tongue.
For chocolate lovers, tasting Criollo is to discover a new dimension because it is familiar yet rare, powerful yet gentle.
Why Protecting Criollo Matters
The rediscovery of Criollo isn’t only about indulgence. It’s about biodiversity and heritage. Preserving Criollo means protecting genetic diversity in cacao, which is essential for future resilience. It also means honoring the cultural roots of a crop that has shaped Costa Rica and the wider region for thousands of years.
By supporting farms that grow Criollo, chocolate lovers help ensure that this ancient variety continues to thrive rather than fade into history.
A Taste You Can Experience
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we craft small-batch bars from Criollo when harvests allow. Each piece reflects the delicate nature of this cacao, telling the story of its rediscovery in Costa Rica’s soils. For visitors, tasting Criollo is often the highlight of their cacao tour. A chance to experience something rare and unforgettable.
And thanks to our international shipping, you can enjoy this treasure even if you can’t visit Guanacaste in person.
Criollo is more than a variety of cacao. It’s a living connection to the origins of chocolate, a gift from the rainforest that carries centuries of tradition. Its rediscovery is a reminder that rarity often comes from fragility and that protecting fragile things can lead to the most extraordinary rewards.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we are honored to share Criollo with the world, one rare pod and one unforgettable bar at a time.
