Birth of
the Hyrid Trinitario Beans
Trinidad produces
Trinitario cocoa trees, which are predominantly fine/flavour cocoa. These beans
are high quality and are a key ingredient for dark rich chocolate today!
Trinitario was born as
a hybrid between Criollo and Foratero trees. Research traced back the 1678,
when Criollo trees from Venezuela had been planted in Trinidad, but disaster
struck when the trees were infested by fungi and other diseases. Thereafter,
the introduction of a more robust Forastero from the Amazon region was planted
in Trinidad. The new variety was combined with the remaining Criollo trees,
resulting in the new Trinitario variety.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR53tiO_8agyJlVuHdijHTzaFhiKakNF1CMqmoVGe4iYS6Fi1vKlnOtBrudmoxS_YhA8li1pFiZf_Z22fJxFZ9hZQoJXMuNBKswmt_fP_YEqo_j6iZsBJbiiemhmbzhkhLkd8-cSjTA/s200/history+of+cocoa.jpg)
Trinidad dominated the
local economy for approximately 60 years, when demand was high and prices were
stable; however over production of cocoa, the crafty Witches’ Broom Disease,
stiff competition for labour attributed to the plunder of local production.
Since the discovery of
oil and its commercial production in 1908, Trinidad is still struggling to once
again capture the profits from this niche market. Cocoa estates are in a state
of abandonment, however since the recent decrease in oil prices, government
have proposed a number of strategies to revitalize the dying industry.
Very interesting topic. I really hope that Trinidad's cocoa industry can be revitalised!
ReplyDeleteI learnt something about Trinidad's history, looking forward to more of what is posted.
ReplyDeleteI learnt something about Trinidad's history, looking forward to more of what is posted.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, enjoy the tidbits of the cocoa industry.
ReplyDelete