The cacao hacienda Limón is located at the foot of the mystical Andes among endless plantations of cacao, palm trees and bananas and belongs to the village of Moraspungo in the province of Cotopaxi, in Ecuador. Cotopaxi is also the name of the 5900 meter high active volcano, located in the middle of a huge national park. The climate is tropically humid, and the soil is of volcanic origin, rich in minerals and nutrients – crucial for a fine cacao flavor and plenty of taste.
Cacao trees are soil optimizers. The biomass of the trees is so enormous that the soil is covered with about 5 to 10 cm of mulch, which is fantastic. The combination of exclusive varieties, cultivation methods, special fermentation processes and drying methods enables this special flavor and taste profile to be fully developed. Connoisseurs say: unique and totally satisfying. Here in Zurich, we try to treat these characteristics with the respect that this cacao variety deserves.
The Hacienda Limon
110 hectares make up the hacienda, which is managed by eight local employees. The Hacienda Limón stands out for cultivating the old, original, pure and noble-bitter variety Cacao Nacional Arriba and not, as is usually the case, the new variety CCN-51. The latter is a trinitario variety that is popular throughout Ecuador for its rich harvest, but has little or no typical Arriba flavor. This organization ensures the protection of varietal diversity and seeks and promotes new cacao flavors.
Hacienda Limón is owned by the German sustainable investment company 12Tree. On site, however, Hacienda Limón is managed by a local company, as this is required by Ecuador when foreign investors are the owners.
12Tree’s goal is to produce the world’s best cacao with the best social and environmental impact. 12Tree focuses on regenerative agriculture practices based on organic farming, conservation of local heritage, and climate-adapted cacao varieties. Neither insecticides nor fungicides are used. Sometimes, herbicides (spot application) are used in a very minimal amount. Thanks to 12Tree, Hacienda Limón has started the process towards organic certification.
