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Sensory Evaluation Form for Cacao and Chocolate

This form is designed to record the flavour attributes and their intensity scores, global quality assessments, and any additional comments that may be…

Glossary of Terms

The Cacao of Excellence Glossary of Terms is a collection of terms with definitions of flavour attributes and sub-attributes.

Cacao of Excellence Flavour Wheel

The Cacao of Excellence Flavour Wheel tool provides a quick and comprehensive overview of a shared vocabulary for flavour attributes and their…

Guide for the Assessment of Cacao Quality and Flavour

This Guide offers precise instructions for the establishment of cacao processing and assessment facilities and the creation of sensory evaluation…

National Competitions Guidelines

2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards Entry documentation

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2025 Edition Results

Here you can find the results announced at the Cacao of Excellence Awards at the Awards' Ceremonies at the Chocoa Trade Fair, held on February 20,…

Data form

2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards Entry documentation

Press Release

The official press release announcing the 2026 Cacao of Excellence Awards, outlining the programme’s global evaluation cycle and its role in advancing…

Image Bank

High-resolution images of producers, cacao samples, laboratory evaluation, and Awards activities, available for editorial use with credit.

Media Contact

Name and contact details of the person who can help you obtain more information and coordinate interviews with Cacao of Excellence spokesperson and…

Fact Sheet

A one-page summary of key facts, figures, and structural information about the Cacao of Excellence Awards.

Awards Explainer

A concise explanation of how the Cacao of Excellence Awards work, including sample selection, evaluation methodology, and international jury process.

Quote Bank

Pre-cleared quotes from programme leadership available for media use, providing context on the Awards, quality evaluation, and sector transformation.

Awards Timeline

A chronological overview of the evolution of the 2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards and the structure of a full evaluation cycle.

Media Backgrounder

A short briefing document explaining the purpose of the Cacao of Excellence Awards, their role in the global cacao sector, and the broader shift…

Metabolic Insights on Flavour Precursors during Fermentation of Colombian Cacao

Metabolomic insights into flavour precursor dynamics during fermentation of cacao beans cultivated in diverse climatic production zones in Colombia T…

Cacao Drying Technologies and Their Impact on Flavour and Quality

Unravelling Cocoa Drying Technology: A Comprehensive Review of the Influence on Flavor Formation and Quality This paper reviews cacao drying methods…

Modulating fine-flavour cacao through controlled seed-to-bean processing

Modulating fine flavor cocoa attributes: Impact of seed-to-bean transformation under controlled conditions on metabolite, volatile and sensory…

Microstructural changes in cacao seeds linked to quality attributes

Microstructural characterization of cacao seeds during controlled transformation through microscopy techniques and image analysis: Insights into…

A value chain modeling approach for upscaling the production of fine flavour cocoa in Arauca

This study focuses on designing a collective postharvest model to support the production of fine flavor cacao by smallholder farmers. It integrates…

Influence of driven fermentation of cacao in bioreactors on quality

Influence of driven fermentation of cacao in bioreactors on quality: decoding the effect of temperature, mixing, and pH on metabolomic, sensory, and…

Refractance window–dried cacao pulp as a chocolate sweetener

Dry cacao pulp in chocolate bars: A sustainable, nutrient-rich sweetener with enhanced sensory quality through refractance windows drying This study…

Cacao Sample Checklist 2027

2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards Entry documentation

Guide for Participation

2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards Entry documentation

Calendar

2027 Cacao of Excellence Awards Entry documentation

Research Poster 'Exploring Cacao Sensory Diversity: A Pathway to Sustainability, Differentiated Markets, and Improved Farmer' Livelihoods'

Download and discover Cacao of Excellence's research approach poster, based on the 2023 Cacao of Excellence Awards, evaluated 222 cacao samples from…

Cacao of Excellence Brochure

Download this brochure to discover what Cacao of Excellence is and how we support cacao producers worldwide.

Cacao of Excellence 2023 Edition Feedback Report

This template report provides feedback to all participating cacao bean producers about the quality of the sample submitted.

Cacao of Excellence Sensory Evaluation Excel Form

This form is designed to record the flavour attributes and their intensity scores, global quality assessments, and any additional comments that may be…

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