Criollo Cacao - Episode 3

In this episode, we learn about the Criollo Cacao. Cacao beans were brought to the Philippines by the Spanish Friars for their private consumption and as a drink to be served to their esteemed and important guests during the 1500s. The Philippines was the first country to receive cacao outside of the New World when the Spanish brought it there from the Soconusco region of Mexico. The cacao cultivated in the Philippines during the first two centuries after its introduction belonged entirely to the Mesoamerican Criollo group.
Today, Criollo cacao is used in the Philippines to make high quality premium chocolates, it is the variety used by award winning chocolatiers. It is also used in making tablea, a traditional hot chocolate drink (tsokolate). It can also be processed into cocoa nibs or powder.
The Criollo variety is the best cacao variety, unlike the higher yielding Trinitario cacao that has been planted in most parts of the area. Criollo beans are smaller but are highly sought after by high end chocolatiers. Promotion of hybrids from Brazil and Malaysia like Forastero and Trinitario mean that fewer farmers have continued planting Criollo cacao.
This cacao variety is very rare but Negros Island is lucky because we still grow it. Today it is maintained by the efforts of Mr Chris Fadriga at Plantacion De Sikwate, Atipuluan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Hear his story and the highly prized, luxurious, rare criollo cacao variety.
This event is part of Terra Madre 2020 and was organized in partnership with Slow Food Community in Negros, Department of Tourism, Province of Negros Occidental and AFEDI.

[@Ragnarra]

You sir have brought not just us great joy by doing this but by preserving the cacao that originally came to the Philippines you are doing the entire species of cacao a great service. Not only do you seek to ensure its continued existence but you have created something more as well. You are doing those who first developed the cacao itself justice, those people helped create it sure but it takes the hands of generations afterwards to ensure its continued future. Keep doing what your doing because its worth keeping it around not just because its chocolate but because its worth all the hard work and effort all of those farmers involved put into growing it.

[@josenapolesjr]

Wow! Asa ta mkapalit ana n variety sir? Maski scion lang. Im from tagum city.

[@TagalogMinute]

Sana meron makuhanan ng seedlings nya... plan to plant more cacao trees sa Isabela and Nueva Ecija.

[@johnramos2442]

The Olmecs introduced the cacao to the Mayans and the Aztecs in Mexico.

[@glendabaja1513]

Pwede po pwede makabili ng Criollo cacao beans or seedlings?

[@delenenales4359]

Could I purchase pods of criollo?

[@Snowgray-o6n]

Hi sir how to order seedlings of criollo cacao in your farm? Thank you

[@ausomezydenaranga]

Good day po pwede maka order 500sedlings criollio

[@ireniogayojr937]

Hillo p0 gust0 kong maka bili ng criollo seeds and scion for planting pa reply naman p0 salamat

[@sinachrevhiram4214]

Panu kaya mag order?

[@j.t.l.accountingandbookkee2739]

Hi saan po pwede makabili ng beans for planting ng criollo po? Thanks

[@JeninaVisoria]

Si sir fadriaga po ba ito?

[@ma.annalizamoralde-bhartiy7791]

Sya nga yan si Mrr. Christopher Fadrigas of Negros Occidental

[@antoninopancho2283]

Lilian, Negros o liluan Cebu?

[@antoninopancho2283]

Pwede ba makaplit og Criollo cacao pods sir?