UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In recognition of Penn State’s impactful contributions to cacao and chocolate research — spanning the improvement of the chocolate tree, the social and ecological impacts of cacao cultivation, chocolate manufacturing and marketing, and health benefits — the government of Ecuador presented the University and its College of Agricultural Sciences with a replica of an ancient ceramic vessel.
The original vessel, discovered at a remote archaeological site in southeast Ecuador, contains remnants of cacao dating back 5,300 years. The Ecuadorian ambassador to the U.S., Cristian Espinosa, presented the vessel during a Nov. 15 ceremony at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Those accepting the award on behalf of the University were Deanna Behring, assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global; Siela Maximova, research professor of plant biotechnology and director for Latin America and the Caribbean for Penn State Global; Mark Guiltinan, professor of plant molecular biology and director of the Penn State Plant Institute; and Daryl Branford, director of science-art initiatives at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
“The Ecuadorian government selected Penn State in recognition of its six-decade legacy of groundbreaking research and education in cacao and chocolate,” Maximova said. “We are honored to receive this gift and to be acknowledged for our commitment to support the international cacao and chocolate industry and our long-term vision of alleviating poverty and hunger, advancing sustainable agricultural systems, and reducing agricultural impacts on climate change.”
Guiltinan explained that the vessel — initially discovered at the Santa Ana-La Florida site in Palanda canton, in Ecuador’s Zamora-Chinchipe province — provides evidence of cacao’s domestication and cultural significance by the Mayo-Chinchipe civilization more than 5,300 years ago.
He said this groundbreaking discovery, published in Nature earlier this year by an international team including collaborators from France and Latin America, solidifies Ecuador’s status as the cradle of cacao. Replicas of the ancient vessel have been gifted to institutions and museums worldwide, symbolizing Ecuador's pride in its cultural and agricultural heritage.
The replica vessel will be a centerpiece in the "Spirit of Chocolate" art installation, a multimedia project currently under development, conceived by Guiltinan with contributions from Maximova, Branford and Talley Fisher, senior research artist at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
“The artwork will convey the deep connection between nature, the cacao farmers and the delicious indulgence that chocolate has become,” Guiltinan said. He added that the Ecuadorian ambassador hopes to visit the University Park campus when the "Spirit of Chocolate" project is unveiled in 2025 in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences’ Millennium Science Complex, further celebrating the shared heritage and ongoing collaboration between Penn State and Ecuador.
Cacao, the chocolate tree, is one of the world’s most important economic crops, generating hundreds of billions of dollars annually. However, cocoa is affected by various pests and diseases, with some estimates putting losses as high as 30% to 40% of global production.
Penn State long has been at the forefront of cacao and chocolate research, addressing topics such as plant genetics, production techniques, soil management, health benefits, sensory science, chocolate manufacturing and the socio-economic aspects of cacao farming. In 2017, with funding from the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Cacao and Chocolate Research Network was established as a transdisciplinary initiative that has received international accolades, including the 2021 Outstanding International Research Award from Penn State Global.
The network unites faculty, staff and students with international collaborators to conduct research that contributes to advancements across the cacao value chain, from cultivation to chocolate production. Co-directed by Maximova and Guiltinan, the network underscores Penn State’s global leadership in cacao research and education and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Behring highlighted the significance of the gift and Penn State’s dedication to advancing cacao and chocolate research.
“Penn State is honored to receive this meaningful and symbolic gift recognizing our long history and contribution to research related to cacao and chocolate,” Behring said. “We are grateful to the ambassador and colleagues at the embassy for the incredibly moving reception and look forward to future work together.”
Visit the College of Agricultural Sciences' Cacao and Chocolate Research Network website for information about cacao research or future events.