Craft
What is Criollo cacao, and is it really the best?
Criollo is the rarest of the classic cacao varieties — genetically delicate, low-yield, and prized for complex, gentle flavor with low bitterness. It represents 236 of the 2,128 bars in our catalog, versus 700 Trinitario (a hardier Criollo-Forastero hybrid) and 394 Forastero (the robust, high-yield workhorse).
'Best' is marketing shorthand, though. Variety sets a flavor ceiling, but fermentation and craft decide whether a bar reaches it — our data shows outstanding bars from every variety, including modern clones like Nacional (507 bars). Treat 'Criollo' on a label as a hint of elegance, not a guarantee.