Single Origin Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate: Exploring the Arriba Nacional Legacy
With a 5,000-year-old genetic lineage, Ecuador’s famous heirloom cocoa - Nacional - embodies centuries of cocoa tradition. The Single-Origin bars explore the original taste of cocoa beans from diverse provenances, celebrated for its exceptional heritage and complex sensory profile. This collection showcases the true essence of Ecuadorian cacao in its purest form.
Villakuyaya 100% Pure Cacao Chocolate Bar
Discover Villakuyaya 100% Pure Cacao Bar – crafted from the finest Fino de Aroma cacao grown at Hacienda Victoria in Cerecita, Guayas, Ecuador. It delivers a powerful and authentic tasting journey with an intensely ripe sweetness balanced by floral and fruity notes, unfolding into bold layers of tart red berries, green banana, and fresh walnut. With a creamy melt, earthy depth, and a subtle timber-like finish, there is no sugar and no additives. Just the raw power of Ecuadorian cacao.
- Origin: Ecuador - Guayas
- Ingredients: Cacao mass (Arriba Nacional)
- Aroma: Fruity, red bananas, floral, raspberry, cacao nuts
- Flavor: Red bananas, red fruits, walnuts, caramel
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse: Ecuador National Arriba 85%
A true single-origin “grand cru”, the 85% Dark Chocolate from the Finca Garyth farm is a complex blend of wild tropical flavours, fresh almonds, a vegetal undertone and banana in the finish. This product is best eaten within 18 months of purchase and is recognized as a Living Heritage Company for its artisanal expertise. It offers an intense and round profile, designed for those who appreciate luxury dark chocolate.
Nutritional values Per 100g: Energy : 2408kJ/580kcal; Fat: 43g (incl. saturated fats: 16g); Carbohydrates: 36g (incl. sugars: 15g); Proteins: 9.9g; Salt: 0.41g.
Esmeraldas Single Origin Chocolate – Goodnow Farms
We make this multiple award-winning bar with beans from the Salazar family farm in the Esmeraldas region of Ecuador. The Salazars have over one hundred acres of carefully cultivated Nacional hybrid cacao trees. We roast the beans in small batches, using a custom roast profile we created specifically to maximize their flavor. We also freshly press the cocoa butter for this from the same Esmeraldas beans we use to make the chocolate, resulting in intense single origin flavor and exceptional smoothness.
Tasting notes: Deep berry jam (blueberry, blackberry). Reminiscent of cabernet grapes.
Refined Varieties: 65% and 70% Single Origin Tablets
The Single Origin Ecuador 70% from Los Rios offers a luxury cocoa content with mild roasted notes, a strong, floral bouquet, and natural vanilla. The taste of earthy cocoa, black tea, hibiscus, and roses is unparalleled. Meanwhile, the Villakuyaya 65% Dark Chocolate, winner of the Bronze Award at the 2024 Academy of Chocolate in London, offers a refined tasting journey: a smooth melt with a mid-creamy texture, unfolding from light woody notes into a burst of fruity cacao complexity.
Comparison of Ecuadorian Single Origin Bars
| Product | Cacao % | Region | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villakuyaya Pure Bar | 100% | Guayas | Cacao mass (Arriba Nacional) |
| Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse | 85% | Finca Garyth | Cocoa beans, cocoa butter, sugar, vanilla pods |
| Goodnow Farms | 70% | Esmeraldas | Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar, Fresh Pressed Cocoa Butter |
| Villakuyaya Bronze Winner | 65% | Esmeraldas | Cacao beans, cane sugar, cacao butter |
Product Attributes
Sustainably and transparently sourced, each bar reflects the purity of Ecuadorian cacao and the artistry of bean-to-bar chocolate making. Most varieties are Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free, produced in facilities that handle milk, soy, and nuts. This is a true gourmet indulgence for chocolate lovers.
