{"product_id":"peruvian-vrae-cacao-paste-tlc-repack-227g","title":"Peruvian VRAE Cacao Paste","description":"\u003ch4 data-start=\"54\" data-end=\"271\"\u003ePeruvian VRAE Cacao Paste\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"54\" data-end=\"271\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganic | Direct Trade | Lightly Roasted | 227g \u0026amp; 454g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhole cacao beans gently roasted, cracked and winnowed and then ground into paste.\u003cbr\u003eFloral with unique fruit and herbal notes and minimal bitterness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCacao from the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVRAE region of Peru — the Valley of the Rivers Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— home to exceptional native cacao.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvested by small farmers at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e400–1300 m elevation, the beans are\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efermented for 6–7 days in hardwood boxes, then\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esun-dried and shade-finished on farm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirectly traded from farmers and cooperatives\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat above fair-trade pricing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add to smoothies, elixirs, baking, or use in chocolate making. This 100% pure cacao paste is ideal for drinking chocolate or ceremonial cacao.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"54\" data-end=\"271\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story: \u003c\/strong\u003eVRAE cacao is a blend of exceptional native varieties—VRAE-15, VRAE-99, Chuncho, Criollo, and Trinitario—grown at 400–1300m. It offers a floral profile with notes of soursop, mandarin, custard apple, and subtle herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"273\" data-end=\"398\"\u003eCarefully fermented in neutral hardwood boxes for 6–7 days and slowly dried, these beans develop a clean, expressive flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"638\"\u003eSourced from Peru’s VRAE region (Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro rivers), this cacao is part of a long-term shift toward sustainable farming. Through cooperative support, farmers gain stable income and improved growing practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"640\" data-end=\"781\"\u003eProduced by the El Quinacho co-op—255 farmers, including 89 women—this is cacao that delivers both exceptional flavour and meaningful impact.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Light Cellar","offers":[{"title":"227g","offer_id":45020502065328,"sku":"210000007166","price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"454g","offer_id":45020502098096,"sku":"210000007168","price":51.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1486\/7780\/files\/circlewebstorephoto_4_33096391-f086-4e68-b312-10a185c3a285.png?v=1732139469","url":"https:\/\/lightcellar.ca\/products\/peruvian-vrae-cacao-paste-tlc-repack-227g","provider":"Light Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}