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The Legend of Arriba Cacao Beans

The origins of the name “Arriba” given to the “Fine Aroma” Ecuadorian cacao comes from a XIX century legend that tells us about a Swiss chocolatier that while navigating along Guayas river, perceived a strong cacao scent. He felt so impressed by such special fragrance that decided to ask some workers unloading cacao from their canoes, where does this aroma come from? And they responded, “de río Arriba” which means “from up the river”. Since then, this variety of cacao is worldwide known as “Arriba” becoming synonym for high quality and fine aroma cacao.



Collection Center

CAROMA is a brand born from MONDEIX with the aim of rescuing the unique Cacao Arriba. In order to achieve this goal, we work with experts in Cacao that know all about Cacao Fino de Aroma. We understand and know the harvest and post-harvest processes yet constantly improving them. Our intention is to firmly enhance the different flavors and aromas so appreciated of our Cacao Fino de aroma that CAROMA presents to you.



We become aware of the need to implement an assistance program directed to cacao farmers in order to improve their cultivating and harvesting techniques as well as to keep a continuous search of the best trees in the country to reproduce their genetic material and secure its unique quality and scent features.

We manage and secure the entire process chain; from collecting the Cacao at mucilage stage, harvesting from our previously selected plantations, through specially routes that we guarantee the quality of the Cacao for fermentation and sun drying of the product; thus, today we can ensure our product’s **0% traceability and quality, which allow us to:

o    Guarantee Cacao Arriba purity and diversity of flavors.

o    Gradually improve the efficiency of harvesting and processing.

o    Renew old plantations with specially selected genetic material.

o    Organizes training workshops in the field