Chocolate in Ecuador

 Today we'll highlight the last leg of Jake's trip to Ecuador with a focus on chocolate production & the Amazon Rainforest. Chocolate comes from cacao (pictured) which grow on trees. These trees grow best in tropical climates at specific elevations. The multistep process from cacao to coco to chocolate varies based on the goal of the final product, but in general involve fermenting, drying, roasting, separating, and grinding. The chocolate facility Jake toured was an award winner that specialized in many different forms of chocolate with varying levels of darkness and some were paired with infused flavors such as mint, orange, chili peppers, & salt. A few days later, he traveled to the Amazon Rainforest on a boat via a tributary to the Amazon River to an ecolodge where he stayed for several days. The plant and insect diversity and adaptations were incredible! Jake really enjoyed experiencing a night walk in the rainforest with his headlamp since a lot of creatures are nocturnal. Here he also visited an Ecuadorian village where the group enjoyed a huge feast including piranha, which was delicious! Ecuador has utilized its geography and natural resources for a variety of agricultural enterprises, and Jake is grateful to have learned from his experience there!