Tropical Plant Guide: On the Search for Cacao
For this cacao sourcing trip, our Marketing Director, Becca, found herself in the rainforests of Ecuador. Read about the tropics that are home to cacao, as well as many other plants!
On a recent trip to Ecuador, I was overwhelmed by the amount of biodiversity found on cacao farms. So many different plant and bird species coexisting in the beautiful Amazon rainforest. Farmers use fruits and vegetables they grow in both their homes and also to sell in local markets.
Cacao grows alongside hardwood trees, medicinal plants, and fruit trees. The plant prefers humid climates with rich soil. Surrounding tropical fruits often contribute to the flavor profiles of the cacao itself.
Some of the plants you might find on cacao farms in Ecuador:
Chili Peppers
Oranges
Theobroma Cacao
Hibiscus Flower
Jaimaica Flower
Star Fruit
Dragon Fruit
Ornamental Flowers
Sapote
Wild Lemons
Borojo
Pineapple
Achote
Gourds
Chonta
Mint
Palm Heart
Coffee
Culantro Leaf
Seeds
Vanilla
Bread Fruit
Sugar Cane
Lime
Pink Guava
Cinnamon Leaf
Bananas
Seeds
Jaguar Fruit
Green Onions
