Nicaragua · North Caribbean Coast (Waslala / Rancho Grande)
reviewed
admixture
Waslala, on Nicaragua's North Caribbean Coast, is a leading fine-flavour cacao zone where smallholders grow cacao in agroforestry systems. Producers are organised through the CACAONICA cooperative, founded in 2000.
Country
Nicaragua
Region
North Caribbean Coast (Waslala / Rancho Grande)
Growing region
Americas
Coordinates
13.23°, -85.37° (approx.)
Elevation
300-700 m
Producer
cooperative · CACAONICA
Genetic groups
admixture
Traditional class
mixed
Also known as
Rancho Grande
Bean notes
A diversity study in Waslala documented a broad genotype spectrum; roughly one in three to four trees sampled gave cocoa with strong individual sensory attributes spanning floral, sweet and fruity notes. Cultivated populations are admixed.
Harvest season
main Oct-Feb
Fermentation
Cooperative box fermentation managed for fine-flavour quality.
Drying
Sun-dried on raised beds.
Flavour
floral · fruity · sweet · nutty
Certifications
organic
Updated
2026-05-22
Sources
MOCCA — CACAONICA and the Cocoa Flavor Map: https://mocca.org/en/cacaonica-and-the-cocoa-flavor-map/
Trognitz et al. 2013, 'Diversity of Cacao Trees in Waslala, Nicaragua', PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0054079