Author Topic: Cacao Fruit Varieties  (Read 993 times)

FMfruitforest

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Cacao Fruit Varieties
« on: September 21, 2020, 04:19:09 PM »
Interested in possibly growing cacao, is there a variety I should search out, hows the taste?

Frog Valley Farm

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2020, 06:25:19 AM »
Montoso gardens has a good variety for sale with descriptions.  I have found it is best to plant seeds fresh from the pods.  They can be grown and fruited here but you might need to find the perfect spot at your specific site.  There isn’t much fruit worth eating I mostly just notice sweetness in the pulp which varies with type and or perhaps how it’s grown.  Putting the pulp in cheese cloth makes a grayish juice which is good but not very attractive.  Good luck!

https://www.montosogardens.com/online_store/


« Last Edit: September 22, 2020, 06:27:28 AM by Frog Valley Farm »

TomekK

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2020, 08:01:49 AM »
I second Montoso Gardens. Amazing prices, incredible selection. I recommend a Trinitario variety to start with, good flavor and relatively easy to grow as well as having the best pulp to seed ratio. For much finer chocolate, a criollo variety with white seeds is superior. Forastero/amelonado is generally resistant and has good harvests, but is mediocre quality at best.

If you’re interested in a genetic portfolio of cacao varieties, then the answer may be different. There are some crazy varieties out there-I personally have this amazing Pentagona variety with a weird pod shape (ridges instead of furrows). I also have some Nacional plants if you’re interested in plants, if you want seeds Montoso Gardens is best for all your standard varieties and even some crazy ones.

Try the Colorado Trinitario from Montoso, it’s a huge pod and has nice colors, as well as tasty pulp. Perhaps also get either a Criollo if you’re felling adventurous, or an amelonado for some more dependability/“regular” cacao.

Finca La Isla

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2020, 10:58:10 AM »
Nacional is a forestero/amelonado type and has a very good reputation for flavor/aroma.  The lesser known Matina is similar.
Peter

FMfruitforest

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2020, 11:00:35 AM »
Thank you all for your responses ill check them out

Muni

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2020, 04:08:02 PM »
Criollo is my preference. I would look into Cupui (Theobroma subincanum) as well.
Allow yourself to know, if you wish, that this is a multi dimensional communication.
See what happens.

Finca La Isla

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2020, 06:16:18 PM »
Criollo, if it’s authentic, could be the hardest to grow.  It would be common if it was resistant and productive but that’s not the case.

happyhana

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2020, 06:40:46 PM »
Another vote for red trinitario fruit; not much to eat but fantastic sour mango kumquat flavor

Also tasted a yellow (forestero?) fruit; meh, less flesh, sweeter than red but uninspired funky melon flavor

And yes, def plant from fresh pod

happyhana

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Re: Cacao Fruit Varieties
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2020, 06:54:37 PM »
Also, different soil here than Florida, but the criollo I’ve seen are grafted on trinitario