Cacao, the hidden treasure of Azuay province in Ecuador

01-07-25

Few things in the world ignite as much passion as chocolate. Whether in bonbons, drinks, desserts, or classic bars, its flavor wins everyone over. But behind this universal delight lies a fascinating story rooted in our land—a story few people know, one that flourishes with strength and flavor in Azuay, a province in Ecuador.

A Fruit with a Deep History

Although we often associate cacao with Ecuador’s coast or famous European chocolate brands, the truth is its story began long ago—right here in what we now know as the Ecuadorian Amazon.

In 2009, archaeologist Francisco Valdés and his team discovered cacao remnants in ceramic vessels in Palanda (a canton in the province of Zamora Chinchipe), belonging to the Mayo Chinchipe-Marañón culture. This confirms that more than 5,000 years ago, Amazonian peoples were already using cacao, likely in ceremonial contexts. Later, the Mayans and Aztecs also adopted and revered it—calling it the "food of the gods" and preparing a thick, spicy beverage known in Nahuatl as xocoatl, the ancestor of today’s chocolate.