COMMERCE 483 



most important, as annually 20 to 27 million kilo- 

 grams come to the market ; of "Balao" and " Machala" 

 about 5 to 6 and 2 to 3 million kilograms ; of 

 " Manabi " about 1 to 2 million kilograms. 



Finally, a fifth sort, called " Esmeraldas," comes also 

 from Ecuador. This is good, if sound, which it seldom 

 is ; but the quantity is small. 



Of the other more important market sorts, " Arriba" 

 is the finest in quality. It is produced all through the 

 year, but the regular crop is from March to June, when 

 the cocoa attains its finest quality and is quoted in the 

 European markets as " prime red summer Arriba." It 

 is principally sent to Europe. A little goes to England, 

 but the largest part is shipped to " Havre for option," 

 and of this the greater part goes to Germany and 

 Holland. 



" Balao " comes in principally from May to October, 

 but mostly in September and October. It is consider- 

 ably inferior to " Arriba." This cocoa is principally 

 consumed in Spain. 



" Machala " is, like the other two mentioned, to be 

 obtained the whole year round. The price varies 

 according to the quality, but generally it is a little 

 lower than " Balao." The cocoa is in good demand 

 both in Germany and the United States. 



The " Esmeraldas " comes from the province of that 

 name. 



The appearance of Ecuador cocoa generally is not 

 very good. The beans are flat and irregular in form, 

 and not of equal colour. In section the beans 

 appear to be darker at the outside and more light- 

 coloured in the centre, a consequence of the slight and 

 incomplete fermentation. The skin of " Arriba " is a 

 little lighter coloured than the skin of the other sorts. 



The aroma of the " Arriba," especially of " summer 

 Arriba," is fine, and the typical flavour of chocolate 

 is clearly perceptible. In a less degree this is also the 

 case with "Machala" and "Balao." 



The taste of " Arriba " is rather sweet. Of the 



