The document discusses including Ecuador's legacy in the cultivation and production of cocoa in a time capsule representing cultural heritage, as recent evidence suggests that the ancient Valdivian culture in Ecuador was elaborating and consuming chocolate millennia before Mesoamerican cultures. While Ecuador may not be the world's largest cocoa producer today, it has ideal conditions for harvesting fine aroma cocoa and played an important role in the early history and global spread of chocolate.

1. K. If all of the world´s cultural
heritage (sports, music, fashion,
architecture, literature, painting,
etc..) was contained in a time
capsule, what would you include to
demonstrate the legacy of your
country?

2. A 4,000 YEAR OLD TRADITION

3. IN WHICH EVERY YEAR…

4. 3.5 MILLION
TONS ARE
PRODUCED

5. USD 950 MILLION SOLD

6. CONSUMED BY
4.7 BILLION PEOPLE

7. THE SOUL OF THOUSANDS OF
BRANDS

8. PRIME INGREEDIENT IN HUNDREDS OF
RECEPIES

9. TREASURE OF 15 COUNTRIES

10. LEGACY OF ONE

11. It is commonly believed that the origin of
chocolate and the initial cultivation of
cocoa took place in Mesoamerica.
Modern day Mexico and Central America.

12. Recent evidence regarding DNA samples
collected at archeological sites in
Ecuador

13. have led the scientific community to
believe that in the ancient culture of
Valdivia

14. chocolate was already being elaborated
and consumed
millennia before any of the Mesoamerican
cultures.

15. Ecuador may not be the world´s
largest cocoa or chocolate producer

16. Nonetheless, it has the perfect
conditions to harvest and produce the
most fine aroma cocoa in the world.

17. Ecuador´s influence on the discovery,
cultivation, production, processing,
evolution, commercialization and
consumption of cocoa is a legacy that
should be included amongst all of the
world´s cultural heritage.

18. Credits
By: Ignacio Sosa
Images: Google Search
Research: Alexander Hirtz