Cacao of Excellence’s research mission is to build knowledge and tools that enable value creation through quality and diversity, ensuring that the science behind cacao quality and flavour leads to tangible impact for the sector, and particularly for smallholder producers.
OUR FOCUS
A central focus of Cacao of Excellence’s research has been to address one of the sector’s long-standing challenges: the lack of a common language and standardised methodology for assessing cacao quality. Without shared terminology and comparable approaches, stakeholders struggle to communicate about quality and flavour, which limits the sector’s ability to recognise and reward quality and diversity of flavours.
OUR SOLUTION
Over the past decade, in collaboration with experts and institutions around the world, Cacao of Excellence has led the development of standards, methodologies, and tools for evaluating and interpreting cacao quality and flavour. A major milestone of this work is the Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour, which consolidates years of international collaboration and scientific validation into a globally recognised methodology for cacao processing and sensory evaluation.
This Guide, and the rigorous approach it represents, underpins all activities of Cacao of Excellence, from processing and evaluating samples for the Awards to developing training curricula, laboratory protocols, and digital tools.
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Cacao of Excellence continues to expand its research frontiers through collaborations that bridge sensory science, genetics, chemistry, and data analysis, generating new insights into how cacao diversity translates into flavour and how that diversity can be recognised and rewarded to improve livelihoods.
Latest News
First Seguine Cacao Auction Confirms Premium Value for Recognised Quality and Flavour
First Seguine Cacao Auction Confirms Premium Value for Recognised Quality and Flavour Amsterdam, 20 February 2026 - The inaugural Seguine Cacao… [+ more]
Cacao of Excellence Names 50 Highest-Ranking Cacao Producers in 2025 Global Evaluation
Amsterdam, 20 February 2026 – The Cacao of Excellence programme of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT has concluded its 2025 Edition,… [+ more]
2025 Bronze, Silver and Gold best 50 producers - Central America and the Caribbean
Central America & the Caribbean Announced 20 February 2026 at the Chocoa Trade Fair, Amsterdam The Central America & the Caribbean distinctions… [+ more]