In a move that is sure to make the chocolate industry around the globe rejoice, researchers have discovered four previously unknown genetic varieties of Peruvian cacao.

The research, which was published in the journal PLOS One, said  previously there had been the common belief there were only 10 major groups of cacao. What’s more, it appears two of the newly identified lineages could be a hit among chocolate producers as it could produce more flavorful beans.

More importantly, however, the discovery provides breeders with more genetic options to develop cocoa trees that could better withstand disease and the ongoing climate crisis.

According to vice.com, perhaps the most surprising part in the discovery is that the new lineages weren’t discovered far off the beaten track in dense jungle but rather were found on small indigenous farms across Peru.

It sounds hard to believe, but phys.org said in Peru – the world’s eighth largest cocoa producer – many farms grow wild and semi-wild cacao varieties that haven’t been significantly altered by selective breeding or genetic engineering.

To help improve their understanding, the researchers analysed the genetic diversity of 390 wild and semi-wild cacao trees on these farms,  focusing their research on the sinlge-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are single letter differences between individual trees that can help to illuminate their genetic diversity and relationship to each other and also enable the trees to be categorised into genetically similar groups.

This analyis revealed the 10 already known genetic groups in addition to the four new ones, some of which feel into one pure group while others were mixes. The researchers also uncovered that different regions of Peru had their own distinct genetic signatures.

Beyond serving as a vital aid for the chocolate industry, these findings can also be used to aid conservation efforts and improve the overall Peruvian cacao industry.

the authors wrote that their research revealed that while Peru’s cacao trees share a common genetic thread across the country, each region harbors a unique genetic signature.

“…we’ve successfully pinpointed four entirely new cacao lineages. This blueprint not only reshapes our understanding of Peru’s genetic landscape but provides a tangible new resource for conservation and the fine-flavor chocolate industry,” they write.

“One of the most rewarding aspects was working directly with Indigenous on-farm trees across eight vastly different departments, from the Amazonas lowlands to the Andean foothills. It was eye-opening to realize that these invaluable genetic treasures weren’t locked away in a lab. They were literally growing in farmers’ backyards, waiting to be characterized and valued for the premium market.”