Origins / Sabah (Tawau)my-sabah-tawau
Sabah (Tawau)
Malaysia · Sabah (Tawau / east coast)
reviewed
admixture
Sabah, and Tawau in particular, was the heart of Malaysia's cocoa industry, which peaked in the late 20th century before declining sharply. A modest fine-flavour revival has drawn renewed attention to Sabah cocoa.
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Country Malaysia Region Sabah (Tawau / east coast) Growing region Asia & Pacific Coordinates 4.25°, 117.90° (approx.) Elevation 0-300 m Producer regional Genetic groups admixture Traditional class mixed Also known as Tawau, Sabah cocoa Bean notes Introduced hybrid and clonal material; Tawau on the east coast of Sabah has long been the centre of Malaysian cocoa cultivation. Harvest season harvest spread across the year with peaks varying by area Fermentation Estate and smallholder box fermentation; the area has an established cocoa-processing tradition. Drying Sun-dried and mechanically dried. Flavour robust cocoa · earthy · nutty · low acidity Updated 2026-05-22
Sources eTawau.com, 'Cocoa in Sabah' The Chocolate Professor, 'Malaysian Cacao: Comeback Kid on the Fine Chocolate Scene'
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