Cocoa is known for its amazing ability to produce chocolate. The cultivation of cocoa trees normally occurs in tropical regions around the Equator, and it best grows in hot and humid climate conditions. The production of cocoa beans come from West African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. However, I did come across some beautiful cocoa beans in Ecuador, and we made chocolate out of them! It was delicious!
The cocoa tree can grow up to be 30 feet tall! On average, it takes the cocoa tree about five years to produce its first cacao pod. The cacao pod grows in a hard shell shaped like a avocado. Each pod contains cashew-shaped beans, which are the seeds of the fruit, surrounded by a white pulp or coating. At first, the cacao pod is green, and after it begins to ripen, it turns a red color.
When I first saw the cocoa tree, I had no idea what it was. I remember thinking that the cocoa pods resemble avocados, which I love! However, after our tour guide told us that they were cocoa trees that are used for chocolate production, I was shocked! For some reason, I did not think that the process of chocolate came out of these avocado look-alike plants!
