Criollo

Variety of Cacao · Theobroma cacao

The world's finest cacao – mild, aromatic and free of bitterness, but delicate and low-yielding.

Also known as: Criollo-Kakao

🇲🇽 Mexico

Taste & characteristics

mildnuttyaromatic

Elongated, often warty pods with white to ivory, plump beans. Low tannin content, fine aroma with nutty and floral notes.

Evergreen tropical tree, slow-growing and susceptible to pests and diseases. Pure Criollos have become rare.

Low yield; harvested year-round in the tropics with two main peaks depending on region. Accounts for only a few percent of world production.

Classified as fine flavour cacao, prized for premium chocolate.

Site, soil, hardiness and growth follow the species Cacao unless the variety states otherwise. Will it grow where you live? → Check your site on the species page

Plan this variety into your own garden, compare varieties and find pollinators – with the variety finder in the app.