When we bite into a chocolate or sip a steaming hot chocolate drink, we often ask where do chocolate come from?
Chocolate has a rich flavor. No wonder it’s the most popular sweet treat in the planet. Not only is it delicious, it’s also good for our hearts and brain.
The cacao tree provides us this delightful food. Theobroma cacao as it is also known means food for the gods. It’s a very appropriate translation to describe this comforting food. The tree originated from the Amazon area in South America. Native groups like the Ancient Aztecs, Incas and Mayans used cocoa in many ways. They used it to make a bitter tasting brew from the tree’s beans. It was also used as a currency by the Incas.
“Theobroma” Cacao Pod Opening
These days, we get most of our supply in Eastern Brazil. A large part of it comes from South Africa and the Ivory Coast of the same continent. Cacao, an evergreen tree belonging to the family Malvaceae. This is native to deep jungles in the tropical areas of South America. It can grow as high as 40 feet. They thrive in humid and tropical climates. Its leaves are dark green and egg-shaped which has a shiny and leathery texture. The leaf base is heart shaped with a drawn-out tip allowing water to drip.
The flower of the Cacao tree is tiny. Its color is yellowish to light pink and they cluster in the trunk. The tree produces flowers year round. The tiny flowers when pollinated transform into a hefty fruit.
The fruit or the Cocoa pods is egg-shaped 14-30 cm long. Inside the pod contains about 20-45 seeds each surrounded by a bitter to sweet white pulp. The seeds are usually dried and fermented under the sun and then they turn to brownish red. These dried beans are then processed to make chocolate. To produce a pound of chocolate requires hundreds of dried beans.
Many people wish to have a cocoa tree in their own gardens. Imagine waking up to a beautiful landscaped garden with cacao trees in it. Are you looking for professional landscapers? Professionals who can beautify your garden and provide your landscaping needs? Visit this page: https://village-landscape.com/
The cacao tree is possible to grow in a home garden in Tropical. A cacao tree planted in a home garden will take approximately 4-5 years to begin to fruit.