At the End of the Rainbow is a Pot of GOLD

The Cacao Troopers headed south one fine day. Not to look for a new find but to validate the authenticity of SN-00032.

We thought the area was just ’round the corner but to our shock,

The road from here to eternity shrunk in size. Thank goodness to our driver, Kuya Rolly, the van we were riding seemed to have a life of its own. It was a two-way street where (only in the Philippines) you would find this.

It is a golden rule that when an ascending vehicle is approaching another descending vehicle, the latter gives way. This is on the premise that the latter resides there and knows the route by heart.

We came across three “buwis-buhay” or death-defying routes where one miscalculated move would bring us to the ground below or the heavens above. Thank goodness we saw the light (at the end of the rainbow is a pot of gold). It was a treat as the Cacao Troopers took their time to snap photos of SN-00032. Our guests Mr. Wataru Ikuta and Ms. Tsuruta from Japan, Mr. Tony Grafilo from Hawaii, Mr. Linus Lee from Singapore and Mr. Steven DeVries from Denver, Colorado USA gathered around in awe. (Photo Credits: Mr. Abe Reyes & Mr. Chris Fadriga)

What we found was a 60 year old heirloom cacao tree. Such a beauty!

Ants. These insects sometimes cause alarm to cacao farmers. For you see, these ants go near where sweetness is present. Those are not pod borers. The ants are after the sweet secretions coming from the mealy bugs and aphids.

Should your cacao pods have borers, it is to be remembered that the Search for Criollo includes cacao pods that have them. Plantacion de Sikwate will help in the rehabilitation of these trees and pods since they possess the GOLD.

The cut-test came to make sure of the authenticity of the cacao variety. Have we found yet another Snow White or was it Jack Black? 🙂

Of course, aside from the cut-test, we need to do a taste test! Mr. Steven DeVries did the honors together with the rest of the Cacao Troopers.

“Yes, it was sweet, alright!” He said. If you were wondering how the other cacao seeds were, all had white and pinkish white seeds! Hello Snow White!

 While looking upwards, we found beautiful cacao pods that were a little too high to get. Well, we got to taste the lower level pods so that was it.