{"id":29110,"date":"2026-08-04T15:01:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/chocolate-uncovered\/understanding-cocoa\/criollo-cocoa-origin-history\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T09:45:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T07:45:51","slug":"criollo-cocoa-origin-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/en\/chocolate-uncovered\/understanding-cocoa\/criollo-cocoa-origin-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The Origins of Criollo: The Ancestral Cocoa with Rare Aromas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-483122594\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1590443022\" class=\"col medium-2 small-12 large-2\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"sidebar-wrapper ul-reset\"><aside id=\"nav_menu-2\" class=\"widget widget_nav_menu\"><span class=\"widget-title \"><span>Les Secrets du Chocolat<\/span><\/span><div class=\"is-divider small\"><\/div><div class=\"menu-les-secrets-du-chocolat-container\"><ul id=\"menu-les-secrets-du-chocolat\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-26261\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-26261\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/les-metiers-du-chocolat\/\">Les m\u00e9tiers du chocolat<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26262\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-26262\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/secrets-fabrication-chocolat\/\">Les secrets de fabrication du chocolat<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26263\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-26263\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/\">Comprendre le cacao<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26243\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26243\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/origine-cacao\/\">Where Does Cocoa Come From? A Journey Through the Plantations<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26249\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26249\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/juste-prix-chocolat\/\">What Is the Fair Price of Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26253\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26253\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/fermentation-cacao\/\">What Is the Purpose of Cocoa Fermentation?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26258\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26258\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/varietes-cacao\/\">How Many Cocoa Varieties Exist?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26265\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26265\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/cacao-fin-vs-cacao-commodite\/\">What\u2019s the Difference Between Fine Cocoa and Bulk Cocoa?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26269\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26269\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/cabosse-cacao\/\">The Cocoa Pod: A Fruit of Mystery and Transformation<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26275\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26275\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/terroir-cacao\/\">Why Every Cacao Terroir Has Its Own Unique Taste<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26279\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26279\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/terroir-cacao-amerique-latine\/\">The Unique Features of Latin American Cacao Terroirs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26288\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26288\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/terroir-cacao-afrique\/\">The Unique Features of African Cacao Terroirs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26292\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26292\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/terroir-cacao-asie\/\">The Unique Features of Asian Cacao Terroirs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26296\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26296\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/terroir-cacao-oceanie\/\">The Unique Features of Oceanian Cacao Terroirs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26300\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26300\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/cacao-madagascar\/\">Orf\u00e8ve Cacaos: Madagascar<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26304\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26304\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/cacao-perou\/\">Orf\u00e8ve Cacaos: Peruvian Cacao<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26314\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26314\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/cacao-grenade\/\">Orf\u00e8ve Cacaos: Grenada Cacao<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26318\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26318\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/quotidien-planteurs-cacao\/\">The Daily Life of Cocoa Farmers: Between Passion and Precarity<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26322\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26322\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/diversite-genetique-cacao\/\">Why Preserving Cocoa\u2019s Genetic Diversity Is Vital<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26326\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26326\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/recolter-cacao\/\">Harvesting Cocoa: An Art as Crucial as Fermentation<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26330\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26330\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/criollo-forastero-trinitario-nacional\/\">Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario, Nacional: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26336\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26336\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/origine-cacao-trinitario\/\">The Origins of Trinitario: Survival, Hybridization, and Aromatic Potential<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26342\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26342\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/origines-criollo-cacao-ancestral\/\">The Origins of Criollo: The Ancestral Cocoa with Rare Aromas<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26347\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26347\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/origines-forastero\/\">The Origins of Forastero Cocoa: Robustness, Power, and Simplicity<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26353\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26353\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/origines-nacional-arriba\/\">The Origins of Nacional Arriba: A Floral, Historic Cocoa at Risk<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26357\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26357\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/avenir-cacao-fin\/\">What Future for Fine Flavor Cocoa Varieties?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26362\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26362\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/hybrides-hyper-productifs-cacao\/\">What Are High-Yield Hybrid Cacao Trees, and Why Are They Controversial?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26366\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26366\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/comprendre-le-cacao\/microclimats-cacao-gout-chocolat\/\">How Do Microclimates Influence the Taste of Cocoa?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26434\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-26434\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/feve-cacao-ecosysteme\/\">La f\u00e8ve et son \u00e9cosyst\u00e8me<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26557\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-26557\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/ingredients-chocolat\/\">Les ingr\u00e9dients du chocolat, expliqu\u00e9s<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26717\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-26717\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/\">Choisir et comprendre son chocolat<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26722\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26722\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-bean-to-bar-definition\/\">Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: A Mark of Quality or Just a Production Method?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26726\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26726\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/comment-choisir-tablette-chocolat-noir\/\">How to Choose a Good Dark Chocolate Bar<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26730\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26730\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/labels-chocolat-importance-limites\/\">Labels on Chocolate: Importance and Limitations<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26734\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26734\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/label-bio-chocolat\/\">How Important Is the Organic Label in Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26738\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26738\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/choisir-chocolat-orfeve-profil-gout\/\">Which Orf\u00e8ve Chocolate Best Suits Your Taste Profile?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26743\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26743\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/pourcentage-cacao-chocolat-signification\/\">What Does the Cocoa Percentage in Chocolate Really Mean?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26747\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26747\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/pourcentage-cacao-signification\/\">What Does the Cocoa Percentage Really Include?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26753\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26753\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/fabrication-chocolat-au-lait\/\">How Is Milk Chocolate Made?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26757\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26757\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-blanc-vrai-chocolat\/\">Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26761\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26761\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-ruby\/\">What Is Ruby Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26765\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26765\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-blond\/\">Blond Chocolate: A Caramelized White Chocolate<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26769\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26769\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/vrai-chocolat-noir\/\">Real Dark Chocolate: How to Recognize It<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26773\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26773\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-single-origin\/\">What Is Single Origin Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26780\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26780\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-noir-vs-chocolat-lait-digestion\/\">Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate: Which Is Easier to Digest?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26784\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26784\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/notes-aromatiques-chocolat-haut-de-gamme\/\">What Are the Flavor Notes of a High-End Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26789\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26789\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-sans-sucre\/\">Sugar-Free Chocolate: Myth or Reality?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26794\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26794\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/difference-terroirs-cacao\/\">Can You Really Taste the Difference Between Two Cocoa Terroirs?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26798\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26798\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/tablettes-fines-vs-chocolat-epais\/\">Thin Chocolate Bars vs. Thick Chocolate: A Detail That Changes Everything<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26802\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26802\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-noir-vs-100-pourcent\/\">Dark Chocolate vs. 100% Cacao: It&#8217;s Not Just About Bitterness<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26808\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26808\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/feves-cacao-crues-chocolat-cru\/\">Raw Cacao Beans, Raw Chocolate: What You Really Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26814\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26814\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-de-luxe-orfeve\/\">Is Orf\u00e8ve a Luxury Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26818\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26818\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-bio-qualite\/\">Organic Chocolate: A True Guarantee of Quality?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26822\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26822\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/comment-conserver-chocolat\/\">How to Properly Store a Chocolate Bar<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26826\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26826\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/offrir-chocolat-cadeau-gout\/\">Giving Chocolate: Why It\u2019s a Gift of Taste<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26834\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26834\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/meilleur-chocolat-noir-artisanal\/\">What Makes the Best Artisanal Dark Chocolate? Key Criteria to Know<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26838\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26838\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/acheter-chocolat-grand-cru\/\">Buying Fine Chocolate: What You Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26842\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26842\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/tablette-chocolat-premium-criteres-qualite\/\">What Defines a Premium Chocolate Bar? Key Quality Criteria<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26846\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26846\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-sans-sucre-raffine\/\">Chocolate Without Refined Sugar: Marketing Buzz or True Benefit?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26850\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26850\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/accords-chocolat-vin\/\">How to Pair Chocolate and Wine<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26854\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26854\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/accords-chocolat-cafe\/\">How to Pair Chocolate and Coffee<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26858\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26858\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/accords-chocolat-fromage\/\">How to Pair Chocolate and Cheese<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26862\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26862\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/chocolat-vegan-options\/\">Vegan Chocolate: What Are the Options?<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-26866\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-26866\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/choisir-comprendre-chocolat\/temperature-degustation-chocolat\/\">What\u2019s the Ideal Temperature for Tasting Fine Chocolate?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-26867\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-26867\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/petites-verites-chocolat\/\">Petites v\u00e9rit\u00e9s sur le chocolat<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-27049\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-27049\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/histoire-du-chocolat\/\">Un peu d\u2019histoire<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-27190\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-27190\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/les-secrets-du-chocolat\/dans-les-coulisses-d-orfeve\/\">Dans les coulisses d\u2019Orf\u00e8ve<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/aside><\/ul>\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1354640687\" class=\"col medium-10 small-12 large-10\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1010105846\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1465313802\" class=\"col medium-1 small-12 large-1\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-195627722\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\" style=\"margin-top:22px;\"><h4 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><b aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/b><span class=\"section-title-main\" >Understanding Cocoa<\/span><b aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/b><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\t<div id=\"text-3012324108\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n\n<h1>The Origins of Criollo: The Ancestral Cocoa with Rare Aromas<\/h1>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3012324108 {\n  font-size: 1.5rem;\n  line-height: 1.75;\n  text-align: left;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1029557253\" class=\"col medium-3 small-12 large-3\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1341492176\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1373806383\" class=\"col medium-10 small-12 large-10\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_811502153\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orfeve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.21-Les-origines-du-criollo-le-cacao-ancestral-aux-aromes-rares-ORFEVE-chocolate-Geneva-Switzerland-600x900.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_811502153 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1564819434\" class=\"col medium-2 small-12 large-2\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2030629088\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-659949284\" class=\"col medium-1 small-12 large-1\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1913942882\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t<div id=\"text-611539136\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criollo is considered one of the oldest and most refined cocoa varieties. Its name literally means \u201clocal\u201d or \u201cnative\u201d in Spanish, a term used by Spanish colonists to distinguish this locally cultivated cocoa in Central America from other varieties introduced later.<br\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The earliest evidence of Criollo dates back thousands of years. It was already being cultivated by the Mayans and the Aztecs, who used it to prepare a bitter, spiced ceremonial drink reserved for elites and religious rituals. <\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time, cocoa was far more than just food: it also served as currency and symbolized the connection between gods and humans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, Criollo is classified as a fine flavor cocoa, prized for its subtle and complex aromas. It stands out for its low bitterness, low astringency, and an aromatic palette often described as floral, fruity, creamy, or honeyed. <\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But this delicacy comes at a cost: Criollo is fragile, low-yielding, disease-prone, and demanding to cultivate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, it represents only a tiny fraction of global production, difficult even to quantify. Criollo can still be found in some regions of Venezuela (notably around Chuao), as well as in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru, usually grown in small plots by producers committed to preserving this living heritage. <\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Orf\u00e8ve\u2019s Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Orf\u00e8ve, we pay close attention to heirloom varieties like Criollo, without turning them into a fetish. What matters most to us is the bean\u2019s aromatic identity, and the quality of its fermentation and drying, regardless of its genetic label.<br\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we work with Criollo-type or related cocoas, we strive to preserve their subtlety through gentle roasting, precise conching, and tailor-made treatment at every step.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lead\">Because it\u2019s not the name of a variety that makes great chocolate, it\u2019s the care with which it\u2019s grown, processed, and transformed.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-611539136 {\n  text-align: left;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-740406609\" class=\"col medium-3 small-12 large-3\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-459194285\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-324148272\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner text-center\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/en\/chocolate-uncovered\/understanding-cocoa\/trinitario-cocoa\/\" class=\"button primary is-outline\" >\n\t\t<span>Previous article<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1603091148\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner text-center\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/orfeve.com\/en\/chocolate-uncovered\/understanding-cocoa\/forastero-cocoa\/\" class=\"button primary is-outline\" >\n\t\t<span>Next article<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":29074,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29110","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Origins of Criollo: The Ancestral Cocoa with Rare Aromas - ORF\u00c8VE Chocolat suisse bean-to-bar<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Criollo is one of the oldest and most refined cocoa varieties. 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