73% MEXICAN CACAO from Comalcalco Tabasco with Smoked Heirloom Chile

This bar showcases a Single-estate, Smoked Heirloom Chile from Amando Hernández’s land, located in La Defensa, an ejido from Yecuatla, in the state of Veracruz. Amando is a third-generation grower who sows, harvests and smokes these chiles in his ranch “El Palmar”. He is one of the few custodians of the native Mexican chiles, as these are progressively being displaced by other higher-yield and genetically engineered varieties. While fresh, it is locally known as Chile Nativo Tres Lomos. After harvesting, which happens once every year, the chile’s heart and seeds are removed one by one manually, then preserved according to the traditional Meridional-Totonacapan method, a pre-Hispanic technique of smoking at ground level for three days in fruit-tree woods such as guava and wild cherry. We chose to combine this chile with cacao from Comalcalco Tabasco to create a complex, yet balanced tasting experience.