"Mama Amor" Guatemalan Criollo Hybrid 16oz Brick Cacao

This cacao originates from the Suchitepéquez Mountains along Guatemala’s Pacific coast, historically the largest cacao forest region in Central America during Pre-Columbian times. These mountains have long been centers for agricultural expertise and hybridization. Mama Amore is produced by Nuevo Amanecer, a women’s collective founded in 2013 by Odilia with support from an association in Panajachel to empower local women through professional opportunities. Initially focused on weaving, the collective has since shifted to cultivating and processing cacao. Its 13 members are revitalizing a traditional regional cacao culture, fostering community prosperity and stability. Their recent success enables further development of their artisanal workshop and delivery of authentic, single-origin cacao of exceptional quality.   Genetics consist of diverse Criollo hybrids, primarily local varieties with some introduced strains. The flavor profile is well-balanced, featuring sweet and fruity notes. Fermentation lasts five days, conducted in baskets covered with banana leaves, with 40% of the batch fermented in stationary wooden boxes for the same duration. The cacao is grown in a flat, village setting within fruit forest gardens at an altitude of 550 meters. The plantation spans 200,000 square meters, hosting approximately 4,500 cacao trees. The land is divided into parcelas owned by six families and managed collectively by a women's group.