‘It can produce good chocolate’: Nestlé supports CCN-51 cocoa growing in Ecuador

By Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Nestlé teaching grafting techniques to farmers growing CCN-51 cocoa in Northern Ecuador. Photo: Nestlé
Nestlé teaching grafting techniques to farmers growing CCN-51 cocoa in Northern Ecuador. Photo: Nestlé

Related tags Fine flavor Ecuador Cocoa bean

Nestlé Ecuador says CCN-51 can produce ‘good chocolate’ as it provides technical assistance to farmers growing the high yielding cocoa variety.

The plant Coleccion Castro Naranjal (CCN-51) was created in Ecuador by Homer Castro in the 1960s, but was not widely planted in the country until El Niño repercussions devastated the country’s fine flavor Nacional crop in 1997/98.

It has greater resistance to fungal diseases and produces higher yields compared to Latin America’s fine flavor varieties.

But it has been maligned for becoming a monocrop in some nations with Valrhona’s sensory expert​ claiming it is damaging Latin America’s cocoa quality as farmers neglect fine flavor cocoa.

CCN-51 in Ecudaor

Ecuador - dk_photos
©iStock/dk_photos

A 2015 report​ from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated CCN-51 accounted for 36% of Ecuadorian cocoa production, just behind leading variety Arriba Superior Época/Nacional (37% of production).

The Association of National Exporters of Cocoa in Ecuador (Anecacao) said​ CCN-51 accounted for 30% of Ecuador’s cocoa exports (70,000 tons) in 2015, while Arriba Superior Época/Nacional made up 47%, equivalent to 110,000 tons.

‘Good chocolate’ if fermented properly

Manuel Gutiérrez, business manager for cocoa sourcing in Ecuador for Nestlé, told ConfectioneryNews: “CCN51 is a popular hybrid and the yields are typically double that of Nacional.

“It is a very compelling alternative for farmers and can’t be ignored. If fermented properly it can produce good chocolate with fruity notes.”

Grafting support

Under its sustainability initiative the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, Nestlé has provided technical training to cocoa farmers in the provinces of Manabí, Esmeraldas and Pichincha on grafting techniques for CCN-51.

The farmers hope to use the grafting methods for 30,000 CCN-51 plants already on their farms, which they planted between 2015 and 2017.

Nestlé expects the grafting techniques will save farmers 60% of the local price for purchasing new plants.

Protecting Nacional cocoa

Gutiérrez said Nestlé was also protecting Ecuador’s fine flavor cocoa.

“Preserving the traditional Nacional varieties has been a key pillar of the Nestlé. Since 2009, Nestlé Ecuador has provided 700,000 Nacional plants to renew the cocoa orchards and helped farmers maximize the yields from these plants,” ​he said.

He added: “The Nacional cocoa beans are the variety which can deliver Arriba flavor and can be used to produce fine chocolate with floral notes.”

The Ecuadorian cocoa sourcing chief said Nestlé would support farmers on good agricultural practices regardless of the variety they want to plant.

Read more about the pros and cons of CCN-51 HERE.

Adulteration concerns

Trusted partner GettyImages-Olivier Le Moal
©GettyImages/Olivier Le Moal

A study published this month by Barragán et al.​ said the Ecuadorian cocoa industry has suffered because Nacional fine flavor cocoa batches are often adulterated with CCN-51.

“This has damaged the relationship of trust between Ecuadorian sellers and international buyers, and caused the loss of market niches. The adulteration is viewed as an obstacle to marketing Arriba cocoa from Ecuador,”​ said the researchers.

The scientists proposed a method using computer vision technology to detect adulteration.

Related news

Related products

show more

Discover vegan gelling agent SYNDEO® GELLING

Discover vegan gelling agent SYNDEO® GELLING

Content provided by Alland & Robert | 02-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Alland & Robert launches SYNDEO® GELLING, a plant-based texture agent based on gum acacia mixed with natural hydrocolloids of plant origin.
100%...

Download Südzucker’s Consumer Trend Study 2023

Download Südzucker’s Consumer Trend Study 2023

Content provided by Südzucker AG | 14-Aug-2023 | White Paper

For the third time, Südzucker has conducted a research study on consumer needs and purchase drivers in processed foods and drinks, which will be another...

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars