Q: Is each edition a limited edition production? How many bars do you make?

Small Batch Production Yes. Our Origin Bars are typically limited to only 150 bars per edition. Each bar is packaged in a handcrafted hardwood box that has the individual bar number engraved on the bottom. Our Signature Bars are somewhat more numerous, but are typically limited to 1,000 per edition. Read about our social and environmental commitments (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). Further Reading The Main Steps in the Production of To'ak Chocolate Timeline for To'ak Chocolate and Third Millennium Alliance's Conservation Project The Different Grades of Ecuadorian Cacao More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or contact us via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

Q: Is your chocolate certified fair trade?

Fair Trade Yes, all of our chocolate is certified Fair Trade TSA, with the exception of our Galapagos edition. The cacao for our Galapagos edition is sourced from only two small farms, both of which abide by Fair Trade standards. Their decision to not certify their farms was an economic one: they don’t produce enough cacao to cover the cost and administrative burden of Fair Trade certification. Read about our social and environmental commitments (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or contact us via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

Q: Is your chocolate certified organic?

Organic Certification Yes, all of our chocolate is certified USDA Organic (with the EU equivalent), with the exception of our Galapagos edition. The cacao for our Galapagos edition is sourced from only two small farms, both of which abide by organic standards and do not use any synthetic chemicals or other prohibited substances in their farm. Their decision to not certify their farms was an economic one: they don’t produce enough cacao to cover the high cost and heavy administrative burden of organic certification. Read about our social and environmental commitments (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or contact us via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

Q: When will an out of stock item be available again?

All of our chocolate are produced as limited releases We harvest cacao and produce our chocolate according to harvest years. Some of our editions are aged. All of our editions are limited in production and often quickly sell out. Once a particular edition is sold out we may release it again with more age (for example as a 2 year, 3 year+ edition) if we have inventory. If that's not the case then the chances are that chocolate is no longer available! If you are interested in a particular sold out edition please get in touch. There are certain cases where we can offer you something from our private reserve. More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or contact us via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

Q: What is heirloom cacao?

The finest of the finest In the broadest sense, there are two types of cacao: bulk cacao and what is officially called “fine flavour” cacao. About 95% of the global supply of cacao is considered “bulk cacao.” Only 5% is “fine flavour.” Heirloom cacao is the finest of the fine flavour cacao. The Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP) defines it as cacao that is “endowed with a combination of historic, cultural, botanical, geographical and flavor value that is the foundation of the best tasting chocolate.” Read about our social and environmental commitments (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao). Further Reading The Main Steps in the Production of To'ak Chocolate Timeline for To'ak Chocolate and Third Millennium Alliance's Conservation Project The Different Grades of Ecuadorian Cacao More Questions? Use a keyword or phrase in the search box above or contact us via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email or social and we are happy to help.

Question 1

What is Ancient Nacional Cacao?

Accepted Answer

The Genetics of Cacao

Cacao geneticists recognize up to eleven varieties of cacao, also known as genetic clusters. One of these eleven cacao varieties is called Nacional, which is native to Ecuador and is generally regarded as the most coveted cacao variety in the world. Its fame in the global market dates back several centuries, although its ancient origins run much deeper.

But the term Nacional, as it refers to Ecuadorian cacao, is often misused and generally misunderstood in the modern-day chocolate industry. The complications began about a hundred years ago. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it is surmised that all cacao grown in coastal Ecuador was 100% genetically-pure Nacional. Starting in 1916, there was a back-to-back outbreak of two plant diseases (Frosty Pod and Witches’ Broom), which infected cacao across the country. Production was crippled. Foreign cacao varieties were subsequently introduced to Ecuador in response to this crisis.

Over the course of the rest of the century, the Nacional cacao trees that survived the outbreak of disease began hybridizing with the foriegn cacao varieties. The “pure” Nacional cacao mother trees slowly but surely died. In many cases, they were even cut down, because they’re more finicky to cultivate than the new hybrids and they’re also less productive. By the end of the twentieth century, it was believed that there were no more 100% pure Nacional cacao trees left.

In 2013, in the valley of Piedra de Plata, To’ak’s co-founders found hidden groves of old-growth cacao trees that matched the description of Ancient Nacional.

DNA analysis provided by the USDA later confirmed that these trees are, in fact, 100% pure “Ancient Nacional” cacao. Piedra de Plata, along with a valley in northern Peru, represented the last two strongholds of this variety.

In the years that followed, To’ak and its rainforest conservation partner Third Millennium Alliance (TMA) embarked on a project to pull this legendary cacao variety back from the brink of extinction. There is now a “Genetic Bank” of pure Ancient Nacional trees growing in the Jama-Coaque Reserve, a protected forest preserve nearby. This is the fountain of new generations of Ancient Nacional cacao, which we hope to distribute to other interested cacao growers throughout the province.

Read about our social and environmental commitments (including how we are paying the highest prices to farmers, going beyond certification, up-cycling product, and protecting endangered varieties of cacao).

Further Reading

The Main Steps in the Production of To'ak Chocolate

Timeline for To'ak Chocolate and Third Millennium Alliance's Conservation Project

The Different Grades of Ecuadorian Cacao

What is Ancient Nacional Cacao?

Is each edition a limited edition production? How many bars do you make?

Is your chocolate certified fair trade?

Is your chocolate certified organic?

Is your chocolate GMO-free?

Is your chocolate vegan and gluten-free?

When will an out of stock item be available again?

Does To'ak farm and harvest cacao?

What is heirloom cacao?

How do you preserve heirloom cacao?