Latin American Cacao Varieties — Origins, Flavors & Ritual Uses
Latin America—the birthplace of cacao—is home to distinct varieties, each offering a unique combination of taste, aroma, energy and tradition. Honoring this diversity enriches our choices and deepens the connection to what we invite into our rituals and routines.
At Sumay, we work exclusively with ceremonial-grade cacao—always pure, without hybrids or additives—respecting the individuality of each variety and the communities that cultivate it.
Criollo
Known as the most refined and delicate cacao, Criollo originates from Mesoamerica and is rare and challenging to grow. It delivers an elegant sensory profile with floral, fruity and nutty notes and is cherished in Peru, Mexico, Venezuela and Bolivia. Ideal for personal rituals and gentle presence, our Criollo from Cusco is featured in blends like Vida Cotidiana, Fresh and Kids.
Nacional
Also called Arriba Nacional, this Ecuadorian treasure is prized for its rich floral aroma and complex flavor. Emblematic of fine aroma cacao, Nacional supports deep meditation, focus, and soulful rituals. Sumay’s Conscious Cacao draws its strength from this ancestral Ecuadorian bean.
Forastero
The most widely grown variety globally, Forastero is hardy, productive, and less aromatic. Often used for mainstream chocolate, its stronger, earthy profile lacks the energetic subtlety of ceremonial beans.
Trinitario
A hybrid born in Trinidad centuries ago when Criollo was devastated by disease. Trinitario blends strength with flavor—combining Criollo’s aromatic finesse with Forastero’s resilience. Although Sumay does not use hybrids, this variety is appreciated in some ceremonial contexts.
Choosing the Best Cacao for Ceremony
For Sumay, true ceremonial cacao honors origin and purity. That’s why we focus on non-hybrid Criollo and Nacional, sustainably cultivated by ancestral communities. Each variety offers a specific energetic quality: Criollo invites heart-opening softness; Nacional encourages clarity and presence. Together, they form bridges to ritual and real connection.
Cacao that Carries Story
Learning about these varieties helps us understand what we drink and how it was grown. Each block of Sumay ceremonial cacao carries a tale of women, communities, farmland, and ancestral cultivation. This cacao was born in mountains and forest—not labs—and holds its history in every bite.
Meet Conscious Cacao: our offering made from pure Nacional cacao from Ecuador, cultivated with intention and harvested into a medicine of presence.
