Guatemala Alta Verapaz Raw Cocoa Powder

Raw organic CACAO VERAPAZ is grown by cooperative-affiliated, organically certified family farms from the mountainous jungle region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The climatic conditions for cultivation in the Alta Verapaz region are determined by the wide variation in altitude (100-800 m above sea level), average annual rainfall of 2800 mm and average annual temperature of 32ºC. The dominant genetics in the region are a combination of clones selected more than four decades ago for the large grain size of the ancient local Criollo variety – Acriollado – which have adapted over time to thrive in the unique mountain conditions. Harvesting of the mature cacao pods usually takes place from January to July each year.