Altus Chocolate Lynchburg

Fine artisan chocolates crafted from the highest cacao grades, ethically sourced, paired with pure, real food ingredients. #ChocolateIntegrity

It's all about the Bean

In the world of cacao, there are three types of beans: Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario. Forestero beans are the easiest and most widely grown cacao. Forasteros come from the Amazon region of South America and the Caribbean. They have a clean chocolate flavor, though a weak aroma and a strong bitter taste. Forasteros are considered a bulk bean as they are a hardy and disease resistant variety with dependable large crops. Approximately 90% of the world's cocoa comes from Foresteros. Considered the finest of the beans, the Criollo bean is grown in South America's milder climates and requires rich soil. A delicate bean, they don't produce as much as Foresteros. Criollos are treasured for their aroma, flavor, and low acidity. What the fine Arabica bean is to coffee, the even finer and rarer Criollo bean is to chocolate. Only about 5% of the world's cacao beans are Criollo beans, making it the rarest and most expensive on the market. Only about 1% of the world's chocolate market is Criollo chocolate. Trinitario beans are a hybrid of Forastero and Criollo, providing a more productive bean with the fine characteristic quality of the Criollo. Trinitarios are grown in South America, the Caribbean, and a few other locations. These beans are used in only about 10% of the world's chocolate market. At Cao, we use only the best Trinitario and Crillo cacao. Go ahead, taste the difference!