Author’s NotesResearching creative and culinary arts is such a pleasure, and I hope my writing inspires deeper appreciation of the artistry of talented creators. I’ve always been attracted to nature’s gifts that appeal to the senses and add beauty to our lives—and to the creative, strong-willed visionaries that bring these sensory indulgences to life. That said, I have a few notes to add.
In 1916, a devastating hemibiotrophic fungus commonly called Witches’ Broom (Moniliophthora perniciosa) swept across Ecuador and Peru, obliterating Pure Nacional, a coveted cacao plant that produces white cocoa beans prized for their floral aroma and smooth flavor. After the infestation, Pure Nacional was thought extinct—lost to the world forever.
Yet in 2009, a few hardy Pure Nacional trees were discov
