Quantum Cacao
The Farm
67 acres of regenerative heirloom cacao in the hills of Coto Brus, Costa Rica
Farm topographic survey — Finca Terciopelo, Limoncito, Coto Brus
About the Farm
San Vito Chocolate Farm — historically known as Finca Terciopelo — is one of only 17 farms worldwide to hold the Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) designation. Located near San Vito in the Coto Brus canton of Puntarenas province, at approximately 1,000 meters elevation near the Panama border, the farm operates as a shade-grown, regenerative agroforestry system.
The property features two natural springs, two lagoons, a creek, a bamboo plantation, primary rainforest, and on-site cacao processing facilities. It has been in continuous cacao production since March 2007 and is recognized as the largest cacao plantation on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
"Genetically verified by the USDA as a rare four-lineage heirloom cacao — a complex admixture spanning all major historic cacao lineages."
Details
Land Use & Features
- ~19 acres of mature cacao in production
- Up to ~6,000 kg (~13,000 lb) of heirloom-quality beans per year
- Off-grid and solar-powered with two natural springs
- ~8 acres of primary forest
- Bamboo plantation, tropical fruits, and coconut palms
- ~43 acres of pasture
- On-site cacao processing facility
- Yoga studio, wood cabin, and original farmhouse
- Two lagoons and a creek — strong biodiversity and water assets
Genetics & Heirloom Designation
The Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 in partnership with the USDA and the Fine Chocolate Industry Association. The designation process is flavor-first, then genetics-confirmed — beans are processed anonymously at Guittard Chocolate and evaluated by an internationally acclaimed expert tasting panel.
HCP scale: 17 designees, 11 countries, 4 continents, ~3,080 small farmers benefiting. Quantum Cacao is Designee #6.
USDA-ARS Genetic Profile:
| Ancestral Group | Share |
|---|---|
| Upper Amazon Forastero | 38.3% |
| Amelonado | 32.0% |
| Criollo | 16.3% |
| Nacional | 13.4% |
This is a complex, four-way admixture spanning all major historic cacao lineages. The Criollo (16.3%) and Nacional (13.4%) components are the headline — Criollo is the rare, aromatic "heirloom of heirlooms," and Nacional (Arriba) is the celebrated Ecuadorian fine-flavor group. Their combined presence is unusual and drives the "fine flavor" designation.
Genetic lineage comparison across HCP-designated cacao varieties worldwide
Quality & Composition
Compositional analysis (BÜCHI NIR) on dried Finca Terciopelo cacao:
| Parameter | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Fat (Grasa) | 50.14% | Excellent — high cocoa-butter content, premium chocolate-grade |
| Protein | 14.66% | Normal/strong for cacao |
| Theobromine + Caffeine | 2.91% | Typical mood/stimulant alkaloids |
| Epicatechin | 4.19 mg/g | Flavanol antioxidant — supports wellness claims |
| Ash | 3.60% | Normal (~3–4%) |
Bottom line: A high-fat, antioxidant-rich, properly fermented bean profile consistent with fine chocolate.
Safety & Testing
Independent laboratory testing by AccuScience Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) — April 2025. Two samples tested across all standard food-safety panels:
| Panel | Result |
|---|---|
| Pesticide Residue (multi-panel) | Pass — None Detected |
| Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) | Pass — All below limits; Cadmium non-detect |
| Mycotoxins (Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin A) | Pass — None Detected |
| Microbiology (TPC, Yeast/Mold, Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella) | Pass — All within limits |
The cadmium result is a genuine differentiator. Cadmium causes many Latin American cacaos to fail EU import limits — here it was non-detect in both samples.
AccuScience Laboratories — Certificate of Analysis, April 2025
Standards chain: HCP Heirloom Designation → USDA-ARS genetic verification → ISO/IEC 17025 accredited contaminant testing. A complete, third-party-validated trust chain.
Farm History
Farm enters cacao production — becomes the largest cacao plantation on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP) founded in partnership with USDA and Fine Chocolate Industry Association.
Farm awarded Heirloom designation — one of only 17 farms worldwide, confirmed by USDA-ARS genetic analysis.
Received HCP grant funded by Penn State University to propagate heirloom cacao — selecting the most productive, flavorful, and disease-resistant "mother trees."
Independent ISO/IEC 17025 lab testing confirms clean results across all food-safety panels. Quantum Cacao brand launches.
Product Directions
- Dark chocolate — bean-to-bar, single-origin (70%)
- Ceremonial cacao — minimally processed, single-ingredient
- Cacao powder — baking and beverages
- Whole roasted beans / nibs for snacking
Experiences:
- Regenerative cacao permaculture workshops
- Cacao tastings and chocolate farm tours
- On-farm wellness retreats
Sustainability & Impact
The farm operates as a genuine high-biodiversity site — not a monoculture. Primary forest, natural springs, lagoons, and bamboo reinforce both the environmental story and the terroir-driven flavor claim.
- 100% off-grid, solar-powered operations
- Shade-grown regenerative agroforestry
- Two natural springs — zero municipal water dependency
- Primary rainforest preservation (~8 acres)
- HCP farmer-empowerment mission — part of a global network preserving fine-flavor cacao biodiversity
- Tree-to-bar model eliminates supply chain intermediaries
Third-Party Validation
Three independent, internationally recognized verification layers
Accredited contaminant testing — all panels Pass, cadmium non-detect
Heirloom Cacao Certification
The 7-Step HCPF Process
The HCP receives the application and bean samples.
Applicants are recorded in the HCP database, and sent to the USDA for genetic analysis.
The beans are sent anonymously to Guittard Chocolate Company to be processed into samples.
The HCP's renowned tasting panel completes a flavor analysis of the anonymous samples.
The genetic and flavor analyses are recorded in the HCP database.
Applicants who are deemed Heirloom are notified, awarded a certificate, and connected with the HCP's elite network of industry professionals.
The HCP works with the Heirloom-designated farmer to integrate preservation best practices, projects, and provide technical assistance.
All source material — HCP designation documents, USDA genetic profiles, lab certificates, and survey records — is available in the reference folder:
View Source Documents →