Cacao
Cacao is a remarkable bean that begins its journey on a tropical tree. Each cacao pod contains a sweet, fleshy white fruit surrounding the bitter and more intense flavored beans- the true heart of cacao. These beans are harvested and processed into cacao nibs, paste, butter, powder, and, of course, the chocolate we all know and love. 1
Did you know that each cacao tree produces about 2,500 beans annually, all housed within its colorful fruit pods? This technically makes cacao a fruit instead of a vegetable. Patience is essential with growing these special beans as farmers must wait four to five years before a cacao tree yields its first harvest.2
Located in Peru, Machu Picchu is our organic farm partner, one of the world’s leading contract manufacturers of single-origin cacao. They have been around for over 30 years and source pure cacao from the heart of the Peruvian Jungle.
Peruvian Cacao is grown in regions between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest. Chocolatiers and chocolate producers travel the world, just like us, to source this pure ingredient. 3
Machu Picchu is considered a leader in Latin America, sourcing this ingredient directly from local cacao farmers and having a positive impact on over 15,000 cacao-farmer families.
When we are not working directly with family-run farms, we partner with trusted cooperatives that source ingredients exclusively from local-run organic farms. This ensures that no matter where in the world we travel to source them, every ingredient meets the uncompromising standards we require to be included in our products.
By working this way, we actively support small farming families and local businesses who are deeply committed to organic practices. This is especially important for ingredients like cacao, which are too often grown under exploitative systems that harm both the land and the people who depend on it. Our sourcing model helps protect farming communities, promote organic agriculture, and ensure that the food we produce is as ethical sourced and completely free of chemicals.
Did you know Peru holds more genetic varieties of cacao than any other country in the world? First, let’s look at the three main varieties of cacao: Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero.
Criollo is often described as the finest and most delicate expression of cacao. Forastero is frequently labeled as lower quality because it’s more common and typically more robust. Trinitario, a natural hybrid of the two, is usually placed somewhere in between. 4
Cacao farmers in Peru work all year long to produce cacao, from tending to the trees to harvesting pods by hand, drying, and processing the beans. It’s a labor-intensive job that produces the finest cacao in the world.
Cacao, especially in its raw form, is filled with many benefits. This ingredient is filled with flavonoids, which have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and improve overall mood.5
With an ingredient this good, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to add it to our sprouted breakfasts. At One Degree Organic Foods, we take pride in sourcing clean ingredients like this cacao to bring clean and nourishing foods to your table, that you can enjoy, share, and always trust. We hope to bring you more of the Machu Picchu story to you soon.
REFERENCES
- Cacao The Organic Superfood Ingredient. Available from: https://onedegreeorganics.com/cacao-the-organic-superfood-ingredient/ Accessed February, 2026
- Story of Chocolate: Fun Facts About Chocolate. Available from: https://candyusa.com/story-of-chocolate/fun-facts-about-chocolate/ Accessed February, 2026
- Peruvian Cacao; A Long History of Delicious Chocolate. Available from; https://wildmountainchocolate.com/blogs/news/peruvian-cacao-a-long-history-of-delicious-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOoox-reEzw7SyDuAGcKJT3TZNTpR7wLq0eisGJo-W0hGjBi9yPgS Accessed February, 2026
- Three Varieties of Cacao, Which One is Best? Available from; https://scienceofchocolate.com/bean-to-bar-blog/are-there-only-three-varieties-of-cacao-which-one-is-best?srsltid=AfmBOoqUcySSCUQof3qvc1Eg91vWmJebtEFKiWWIkUHzTA23GYdl5B1k Accessed February, 2026
- Peruvian Chocolate. Available from; https://www.peruforless.com/blog/peruvian-chocolate Accessed February, 2026
