Business
Puentespina Farms is now among the 16
Heirloom cacao growers worldwide that
are recognized by the Heirloom Cacao
Preservation (HCP)
Credit : dti.gov.ph
Cacao from Davao’s
Puentespina Farms
gains heirloom status
T
HE beans grown by Davao City’s Puentespina
Farms, manufacturer of the world-renowned
Malagos Chocolates, have been recognized as
“Heirloom Cacao” by the US-based organiza-
tion Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) Fund.
Charita Puentespina, founder of Puentespi-
na Farms, said the farm was the 16th recipient
of the international distinction. Other heir-
loom farmers were from Bolivia, Ecuador, Hawaii, Costa Rica,
Belize, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
“We are elated to be part of this very small group of farmers
who have been given this designation as Heirloom Cacao,” she
said.
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Puentespina’s beans underwent an extensive evaluation by
HCP’s tasting panel before its heirloom status was announced in
San Francisco on January 12, 2019. According to HCP, the choco-
late was praised for its flavor, low acidity and “touch of fruits.”
HCP’s mission is to “identify and preserve fine flavor cacao
varieties for the conservation of biological diversity and the
empowerment of farming communities.” It is an initiative of the
Fine Chocolate Industry Association founded in collaboration
with the US Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research
Services.
Primarily grown by small farms in the lowland tropical regions,
cacaos are good for the ecosystem because they are grown in
the shade along with other fruit trees like bananas, coconuts,
and forest trees. Helping preserve heirloom cacao also helps the
livelihood of the farmers who grow them.
“We want our products to be worthy of the heirloom designa-
tion that has been given to us,” said Puentespina.
Meanwhile, the Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation has issued
a limited edition bar of Malagos Heirloom Chocolate 72% Dark
Chocolate to celebrate the certification.
www.dti.gov.ph