Our Ecuador bar begins with Neo-Nacional cacao from Camino Verde, a privately owned fermentary in Durán, just outside Guayaquil. Founded by cacao farmer and microbiologist Vicente Norero, Camino Verde takes an unusually scientific approach to fermentation, using carefully selected microorganisms, enzymes, and inoculants to develop specific flavor characteristics in the bean.
We've worked with cacao from Camino Verde for over a decade because Vicente understands that exceptional chocolate begins long before the beans reach a chocolate maker. His background in microbiology, combined with years of experience farming and managing cacao plantations, has allowed him to explore how fermentation can bring out the distinctive qualities of Ecuadorian cacao.
The result is a chocolate with a rich, fudgy character layered with almond, honey, earthy cacao, and delicate floral notes.