The Magic Way Cacao Trees Produce Chocolate

Why are cacao trees important to us? Probably the answer is in their seed, that we need to make chocolate. The Latin name of the cacao tree is Theobroma cacao.

This interesting tree lives in the deep rain forests of Central and South Africa, hiding from the wind and the sun.

 Also, the cacao plants grow along the Equator.

It grows up to 8 meters (60 feet) and has green leafs the size of a human hand.

Its flowers are small and they grow directly from the trunk. This is known as cauliflory.

Cacao trees start to produce fruits when they’re around three years old. The fruits are called cacao pods and their shape is ovoid, 15-30 cm wide and 8-10 cm long. 

Its seeds are called cacao beans and they are inside the pod. There are 20-60 in a pod and from them cacao powder and chocolate is produced.

The main compound which gives the flavor to cacao is theobromine. This compound is found only in cacao beans and is similar to caffeine.

 The biggest producers of cacao in the world are Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Chocolate is the final product of fermented cacao beans. Without fermentation, their flavor wouldn’t be as delicious. If you were reading this post until the end you deserve to see who makes the chocolate you eat. Enjoy the video!