Chocolate taste expert tells genetics conference session to breed for flavor

The 22nd annual International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research took place Jan. 11-15 at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego, including a Jan. 12 cacao genome session. While much of the cacao research has focused on increasing yield or on developing resistance to protect the world’s chocolate supply from fungal disease, chocolate tasting expert Ed Seguine warned researchers that flavor must be maintained as a consideration in breeding decisions.

Seguine is the principal of Seguine Cacao Cocoa & Chocolate Advisors, which is based in Hanover, Penn. He founded the c...