Understanding the main cacao varieties—Criollo, Nacional, Forastero and Trinitario—is a way to honour their diversity and choose consciously what we bring into our bodies and rituals.
At Sumay we work with pure ceremonial cacao, free from hybrids and additives, respecting the origin and the communities that cultivate it.
Cacao types in the Americas
Criollo: the finest and most delicate
One of the most prized cacao varieties in the world. Originally from Mesoamerica, rare and difficult to grow, but with an exquisite sensory profile.
Flavour: soft, floral, fruity, notes of nuts
Origin: Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia
Uses: rituals, ceremonies, personal connection
We use Criollo from Cusco for Vida Cotidiana, Fresh, Kids and more.
Nacional: deep aroma and Ecuadorian soul
Also known as Arriba Nacional, emblematic of Ecuador. Smaller beans, complex aroma, subtle and profound energy.
Flavour: floral, spicy, elegant bitterness
Origin: Ecuador
Uses: deep ceremonies, meditation, focused presence
This is the cacao in our Conscious Cacao.
Forastero: strong, resistant and bold
The most widely grown cacao worldwide, due to its high yield. Stronger flavour and less aromatic, commonly used in chocolate manufacturing.
Flavour: intense, astringent, less complex
Origin: West Africa (introduced from the Americas)
Rarely used ceremonially due to hybrids and intensive farming.
Trinitario: the fusion of Criollo and Forastero
Born naturally in Trinidad after a disease affected Criollo crops. A hybrid with good quality and resilience.
Flavour: balanced, full-bodied, mild acidity
Origin: Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela
Sumay does not work with hybrids, although some brands consider it ceremonial.
Which cacao is best for ceremonies?
For Sumay, the best ceremonial cacao is:
- Criollo or Nacional
- From conscious families and cooperatives
- Produced sustainably and ethically
- Free from hybrids, additives and refinement
Each carries its own medicine:
Criollo opens the heart softly.
Nacional grounds focus and presence.
Together, they support deep, authentic rituals.
Ceremonial cacao with history and soul
Knowing cacao varieties helps us understand what we drink, how it was cultivated and what kind of energy it offers.
It is a way to honour its roots and its ancestral medicine.
Every block at Sumay tells a story:
A story of women, communities, fields and paths.
A cacao born not in laboratories, but in the jungle, the mountains, the heart.
Discover our Conscious Cacao, made with ancestral Nacional cacao from Ecuador.
