Cocoa’s story began around 5,300 years ago.

Archaeological evidence from Ecuador points to the Upper Amazon as the earliest known centre of cocoa use and domestication.

Editorial approachCarefully researched, with sources you can see.

Originally published in Bulgarian on 19 August 2026 · English edition published on 9 October 2026.

History01

Ripe cocoa pods accompanying a story about the origins of cocoa — The cocoa pod stands at the beginning of the long journey to chocolate.

For a long time, the origins of cocoa cultivation were associated mainly with Mesoamerica. Archaeological research at the Santa Ana–La Florida site in present-day Ecuador, however, has uncovered evidence of cocoa use dating back approximately 5,300 years.

Researchers reached this conclusion using three independent types of evidence: starch grains, theobromine residues and ancient DNA. The Upper Amazon has therefore emerged as the earliest known centre of cocoa use and domestication.

Sources

Research paper · Nature Ecology & Evolution →

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