G

Chocolate field glossary

Genetics

Inherited plant characteristics that influence pod traits, disease response, yield and possible sensory expression.

Botany · working definition

Use the word
with precision.

Why it matters
Planting material influences disease response, yield, seed chemistry and possible flavor expression before post-harvest work begins.
Common confusion
Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario are historical shorthand, not a complete modern genetic map or quality ladder.
Practical example
Two farms in one district can grow different material and produce very different beans under the same weather.
Evidence trail

Read beyond
the definition.

Peer-reviewedGeographic and genetic population differentiation of Theobroma cacao

Genotyping study that identified ten differentiated cacao clusters and displaced the old two-group model.

PLOS ONE
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