Types of Cocoa Bean

The threobroma tree also referred to as cocoa tree (cacao tree) is grown in various countries found in the tropics between ten-to-twenty degrees north & south of the equator. The health benefits of dark chocolate containing high cocoa content is undeniable and is supported be numerous scientific studies. Cocoa trees are actually grown in various Countries, but the leading suppliers include Nigeria, Ghana, Ecuador, Brazil, New Guinea, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Dominican Republic. There are various types of cocoa beans but the type that is used mostly by various large-chocolate producers to produce chocolate is Forastero beans which is a high-yielding bean grown in West Africa and Brazil. Criollo & Trinitario beans are actually the lower yielding types which are actually the most expensive.

1. Forastero
2. Criollo
3. Trinitario
4. Nacional

The name Forastero is a Spanish word which means an outsider or a stranger. This is actually an ordinary daily cocoa which is known for its strong and earthly flavors. Forastero is highly resistant to diseases and it represents approximately 85% of the entire world cocoa production. This cocoa bean is commonly grown in Nigeria, Central America, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, New Guinea Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Criollo is a Spanish word which means "of-local-origin". This is one of the high quality beans which lacks bitterness and is quite aromatic. This cocoa bean is used to create various luxurious chocolates, but rarely alone, because it is quite expensive and scarce (it represent approximately 3% of the globe's cocoa production). Criollo is grown in Mexico, Venezuela, Guetamala, Samoan island, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Nicaragua.

This cocoa bean type came into existence in 1727, after the near-destruction of the criollo beans in Trinidad by the hurricane. The forester beans from Venezuela were cross-fertilized with the criollo beans to produce Trinitario which represent approximately 12% of the globe's cocoa production. These cocoa beans are commonly grown in the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela.

The nacional is quite difficult to grow and is prone to various diseases. This cocoa bean has an excellent aroma. It is grown in South America on the west of the Andes.