Nicaragua is a fascinating land thanks to the wealth of its wild flora and fauna. The country enjoys a tropical climate which is ideal, in particular, for the cultivation of cacao. For some years now Ingemann has been running a project for the training of small local farmers in this area and for the development of the communities now involved directly in the value chain of cacao processing. During the work of selecting from among the great genetic wealth of cacao in Nicaragua, a number of ancient varieties of Cacao Trinitario-Acriollado have been identified, one of which is Chuno® Esencia Heirloom. Heirloom cacao varieties are extremely rare. They are real “relics” which bear witness to their native essence and originality. Chuno® Esencia is one of these “diamonds”, as the HCP (Heirloom Cacao Preservation) itself defines them, cacao trees whose beans have a unique combination of historic, cultural, botanical and geographic value and, above all, taste. Heirloom Cacao varieties are important because they have a range of ecological, economic and social advantages. Production is conducted by small farmers in areas of great biodiversity. Research has shown that cacao is an important source of revenue, amounting to around one third of a family’s total income. Heirloom Cacao varieties grow in harmony with other fruit trees, such as the banana or papaya, and this increases the capacity of farmers to diversify their sources of income. The native cacao trees, grown in the shade, also provide the ideal habitat for numerous creatures, including birds. Growing in harmony with other trees also gives rise to a unique biodiversity. Cacao production is now seen by many to be the best way of keeping intact a part of the ecosystem of the areas affected by deforestation. Cacao Heirloom beans have an exceptional and complex organoleptic balance which gives them a unique flavor. The prices paid to farmers are consequently higher than the market standard for cacao. With this special cacao we have created our Trinitario Acriollado fine Raw chocolate 72½ Chuno® Esencia Heirloom Cacao – single variety Nicaragua. The Cacao Chuno® Esencia has been processed according to our Raw method so as to maintain its precious original flavour. We have thus obtained a chocolate of marked creaminess, with delicate notes of hazelnut, cream and flowers and a finale of hints of aromatic wood and the pleasing bitterness of taggiasca olive. The photograph chosen to represent this bar portrays a Central American family outside their house: two children smiling under the watchful eye of their mother. Their expression, direct and serene, serves as encouragement to all families working in cacao production to look to the future with the same positive spirit. We thank them for the huge commitment they make with their arduous work to safeguarding our most precious shared resource: the environment which surrounds us all.