The story of the Ecuadorian plant scientist who may hold the key to preserving chocolate.
In 1965, Ecuadorian researcher Homero Castro developed a new cacao hybrid, CCN-51, in an effort to combat the witches’ broom disease that was devastating the country’s cacao crops. Castro’s new crossbreed was disease-resistant and produced more cacao than traditional trees. Unfortunately, Castro died in a car accident in 1988, never seeing the full potential of his creation. Today, as the world faces a chocolate shortage, Castro’s variety stands as a viable solution. Chocolate Kingdom will explore his twelve-year journey to develop the new breed, the historical relationship between Ecuador and chocolate, and the future of chocolate with the CCN-51 variety.Through Chocolate Kingdom, we are reminded of how we often overlook the vital work of those who feed us, highlighting the legacy of agricultural pioneers whose quiet efforts are key to solving today’s pressing issues.
Writer, Director, Producer | Mario Villavicencio