Ecuador's claim to fame is Nacional, a native variety whose beans carry a distinctive floral aroma — jasmine and orange blossom are the words most often used. Traders in the 19th century called it "Arriba", after the up-river growing areas along the Guayas, and the name stuck as shorthand for Ecuadorian fine cocoa.
The country also grows a great deal of CCN-51, a high-yielding hybrid valued for volume rather than subtlety, so the origin on a label is not a guarantee of fine flavour on its own. Bars that name Nacional or Arriba, or a specific farm, are the ones to look for.
Ecuador chocolate to try
Sorted from mildest to darkest
