SI-Ecuadorean chocolates: Implementation of a sensory panel for the design of fine flavored chocolates.

EC2022SIN339A103 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2024 Ecuador is the leading exporter of cocoa beans in the Americas, moreover, is the leading producer and exporter of fine cocoa with a market share of up to 50% of the global fine cocoa production. Despite this, the fine cocoa production is reducing in comparison to the farmed area by a variety considered as bulk cocoa, CCN51. In addition, climate change is already affecting food security through increasing temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and greater frequency of some extreme events. Therefore, is important to increase the value of the already producing land by giving added value to Ecuador’s current cocoa production. The purpose of this project is to design unique flavor profiles of chocolate from different Ecuadorian Nacional cocoa genotypes, empowering small-hold farmers to increase the value of their productions to benefit their families’ economies, improving their living conditions and well-being.