The Origins of Pepa de Oro: On the Trail of Ecuadorian-Style Fino Chocolate
Ecuador·10 days
ForestMountainSerenity
The journey at a glance
The glory of cocoa in Ecuador began in the 16th century in San Lorenzo de Vinces, one of the oldest cities in the province of Los Ríos.
A rich city thanks to the Vinces River that allowed the commercialization and export of cocoa, then known as the "pepa de oro" (golden bean).
From the 18th and 19th centuries, cocoa began to be exported and Vinces lived its glory days. In 1879 Ecuador became the world's largest exporter with more than 4,500 tons exported: a period called "the Cocoa Boom".
Come discover and taste the flavors and aromas that make this fruit one of the greatest human delicacies. All the secrets of what makes a good chocolate will be revealed to you through multiple activities: from the visit of historical cocoa haciendas to the farms that facilitated the expansion of this product in the world; then from the tasting with an expert chocolate creator (recognized for his international awards) to specialized Ecuadorian chocolate factories to share the variety of flavors and textures. Discover why Ecuador is the ideal destination to enjoy chocolate to the fullest and why the Ecuadorian variety is the most prized in the world!
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