what plant does cacao come from

Why did they come up with chocolate?

They believed that chocolate was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, and drank it as a refreshing beverage, an aphrodisiac, and even to prepare for war. No one knows for sure when chocolate came to Spain. Legend has it that explorer Hernán Cortés brought chocolate to his homeland in 1528.

Where on Earth are cacao farms generally found?

cacao, ( Theobroma cacao ), also called cocoa, tropical evergreen tree (family Malvaceae) grown for its edible seeds, whose scientific name means “food of the gods” in Greek. Native to lowland rainforests of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, cacao is grown commercially in the New World tropics as well as western Africa and tropical Asia.

Which continents are home to cacao farms?

the cocoa beans that give chocolate its unique and special flavor. There are approximately 3.5 million cacao farms worldwide. Africa is the leading cacao producing continent generating 70% of the world’s cacao. Cacao trees are also grown on the continents of North America, South America, and Asia. Major cacao-

Where did cacao originate?

Types of Cacao

• Criollo. In Spanish, this means 'native' or 'of local origin' originates from Central America, probably from Mexico.
• Forastero. Spanish for 'foreigner' or 'stranger' originally from the Amazon basin and domesticated later than Criollo.
• Trinitario. ...
• Arriba Nacional. ...

Where does cacao originate from?

Introduction. Theobroma cacao (2n = 2x = 20) is a tree native to humid tropical regions of the northern part of South America and, according to some reports, of Central America (Miranda, 1962).

Where is the cacao tree found?

Africa is the leading cacao producing continent generating 70% of the world's cacao. Cacao trees are also grown on the continents of North America, South America, and Asia. Major cacao- growing countries include Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, and Indonesia.

Can you grow cacao in the US?

Growing cacao trees requires mimicking these conditions. In the United States, that means the tree can only be grown in USDA zones 11-13 – Hawaii, parts of southern Florida, and southern California as well as tropical Puerto Rico.

Do cacao and cocoa come from the same plant?

One of these meanings is a creamy chocolate-flavored drink. The other meaning is the powder used to make such drinks. Cocoa powder comes from cacao beans, which grow on cacao plants. Despite the confusing spelling similarities, the plant and its beans are always cacao plants, never cocoa plants.

Is cacao and cocoa the same?

Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa. Both can benefit your health, but it's best to stick to either the raw version, cacao, or a chocolate product that has a high chocolate liquor content. Raw cacao can take some getting used to. It tastes a little different than cocoa products and can be slightly bitter.

Is cacao a chocolate?

Chocolate comes from the tropical cacao tree. The cacao bean, the rawest form of chocolate, can be harvested and consumed directly (cacao), roasted and turned into powder (cocoa) or made into chocolate.

Can I grow a cocoa tree in my house?

It's only about 6 feet tall, but producing well. In nature, cacao trees are a zone 10 plant, so they want to be kept warm, but they will grow just fine at room temperature in a normal house. Keeping them consistently between 65 and 70 degrees is sufficient for them to thrive.

How much does a cacao tree cost?

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Can I grow my own cacao?

Cacao trees are not easy to grow, especially if you want to cultivate them outside of their natural environment. Occasionally growers keep them as houseplants. But it is very difficult to provide them with the proper light and humidity levels indoors, and they often won't ever produce seed pods.

Which is healthier cocoa or cacao?

Cacao products are clear winners. They have higher antioxidant content than cocoa products, and the former is also the purest form of chocolate you can consume as they are raw and less processed than cocoa powder or common chocolate bars. Cacao is one of the best sources of antioxidants, iron, fibre and magnesium.

Can you eat raw cacao?

Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate one can consume. Whether consumed in powder form, as cacao nibs or cacao beans, it is far less processed than its heated and treated cocoa counterpart.

Is cacao good for kidney?

Consuming a cocoa product could help patients with kidney failure to improve their blood vessel function, according to research published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Share on Pinterest Cocoa flavanols may help the heart and the kidneys.

What part of cacao is edible?

0:227:24COCOA POD -- How to Open & Eat a Cacao Pod -- Fruity Fruits - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd turned into chocolate there is a little bit of a membrane that surrounds each bean and that isMoreAnd turned into chocolate there is a little bit of a membrane that surrounds each bean and that is actually edible and supposedly quite tasty so that's what i'm going to be tasting.

Is cacao native to Africa?

History. The cacao tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. It was first domesticated 5,300 years ago, in equatorial South America, before being introduced in Central America by the Olmecs (Mexico).

Is cacao a drug?

Unlike phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust), MDMA (ecstasy or Molly), and cocaine, cacao isn't considered a controlled substance by the U.S. government; in other words, sniffing cacao isn't illegal. Furthermore, there's only scattered and scant research on the neurological effects of cacao and chocolate.

Which country is the largest cocoa producer?

- Ivory CoastA - Ivory Coast Ivory Coast is the largest cocoa producer of the world with more than 2 million tons every year. Cocoa represents 40% of the exports revenues of the country, which is phenomenal. This dependence can endanger the country if the price of cocoa falls, like in 2021, putting million of farmers in trouble.

Where is cacao found?

T. cacao is widely distributed from southeastern Mexico to the Amazon basin. There were originally two hypotheses about its domestication; one said that there were two foci for domestication, one in the Lacandon Jungle area of Mexico and another in lowland South America.

Where does the name cacao come from?

The specific name cacao is the Hispanization of the name of the plant in indigenous Mesoamerican languages.

What are the three cultivars of cacao beans?

Historically, chocolate makers have recognized three main cultivar groups of cacao beans used to make cocoa and chocolate : Forastero, Criollo and Trinitario. The most prized, rare, and expensive is the Criollo group, the cocoa bean used by the Maya. Only 10% of chocolate is made from Criollo, which is arguably less bitter and more aromatic than any other bean. In November 2000, the cacao beans coming from Chuao were awarded an appellation of origin under the title Cacao de Chuao (from Spanish: 'cacao of Chuao').

How are cacao flowers pollinated?

The floral formula, used to represent the structure of a flower using numbers, is ✶ K5 C5 A (5°+5 2) G (5). While many of the world's flowers are pollinated by bees ( Hymenoptera) or butterflies / moths ( Lepidoptera ), cacao flowers are pollinated by tiny flies, Forcipomyia midges in the subfamily Forcipomyiinae. Using the natural pollinator Forcipomyia midges for Theobroma cacao was shown to have more fruit production than using artificial pollinators. The fruit, called a cacao pod, is ovoid, 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) long and 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) wide, ripening yellow to orange, and weighs about 500 g (1.1 lb) when ripe. The pod contains 20 to 60 seeds, usually called "beans", embedded in a white pulp. The seeds are the main ingredient of chocolate, while the pulp is used in some countries to prepare refreshing juice, smoothies, jelly, and cream. Usually discarded until practices changed in the 21st century, the fermented pulp may be distilled into an alcoholic beverage. Each seed contains a significant amount of fat (40–50%) as cocoa butter. The fruit's active constituent is the stimulant theobromine, a compound similar to caffeine.

How tall is a cacao tree?

Closed and open blossom and fruits on the trunk of Theobroma cacao ( ÖBG Bayreuth) Theobroma cacao, also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, is a small (4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall) evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, native to the deep tropical regions of Mesoamerica.

What is cacao used for?

Cacao beans constituted both a ritual beverage and a major currency system in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations. At one point, the Aztec empire received a yearly tribute of 980 loads ( Classical Nahuatl: xiquipilli) of cacao, in addition to other goods. Each load represented exactly 8,000 beans. The buying power of quality beans was such that 80–100 beans could buy a new cloth mantle. The use of cacao beans as currency is also known to have spawned counterfeiters during the Aztec empire.

How big is a cacao pod?

The fruit, called a cacao pod, is ovoid, 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) long and 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) wide, ripening yellow to orange, and weighs about 500 g (1.1 lb) when ripe.

WHERE DID CHOCOLATE ORIGINATE?

Chocolate originated in Mesoamerica in the early civilizations of the Olmecs and Mayans. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, was the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate. They drank their chocolate during rituals and used it as medicine. Centuries later, the Mayans praised it as the drink of the gods. Mayan chocolate was a revered brew made of roasted and ground cacao seeds mixed with chilies, water, and cornmeal.

What was chocolate before?

Before the invention of “Dutch processing ”, chocolate was a luxury only the wealthy could afford. The industrial revolution modernized the production of chocolates; improved efficiency and lowered production costs. The modern vision and taste of chocolate you envision today was born!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHOCOLATE?

Different forms and flavors are produced by varying the quantities of the different ingredients. Other flavors can be obtained by varying the time and temperature when roasting the beans such as:

How long does it take for cacao to dry?

After the fermentation process, the cacao beans are left to sun-dry which can take 1 – 2 weeks. During this drying process, the cacao bean’s color changes from reddish-brown to dark brown. Then the beans are cleaned and roasted. It is only after roasting that the distinctive, chocolate aroma becomes pronounced.

How has chocolate impacted society?

From being used for medicinal purposes or bringing a sweetened delight to others , it continues to influence various aspects of many cultures throughout the world. However, as chocolate’s popularity has grown so has the demand. Modern-day production of chocolates comes at a cost. As many cacao farmers struggle to make ends meet, some turn to low-wage or slave labor (sometimes acquired by child trafficking) to stay competitive. This has prompted grassroots efforts for large companies to reconsider how they get their cocoa supply. It’s also resulted in appeals for more “fair trade” chocolate which is created ethically and sustainably.

When did chocolate come to Europe?

By the late 1500s and early 1600s, it had spread across Europe beginning the period known as chocolate mania. In 1828 when Coenraad Johannes van Houten, a Dutch chemist created the Dutch processing which was used to convert cacao into “Dutch cocoa” or cacao powder. This process increased the affordability of chocolates and also increased its accessibility for all.

Does dark chocolate lower blood pressure?

Studies have shown that dark chocolate can help improve blood flow which lowers blood pressure and may also have an impact on reducing heart disease.

How tall do cacao trees grow?

Cacao trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and produce large pods that are the color and shape of small footballs. These pods contain 30 to 50 seeds—enough to make about two dark chocolate or seven milk chocolate bars! But unlike the chocolate we consume, pure cacao isn’t a sweet snack. Seeds from the cacao tree are extremely bitter, which is a pretty effective survival strategy for Theobroma cacao. Animals that live near cacao trees, like monkeys, rodents, and birds, enjoy noshing on the sweet pulp that’s inside cacao pods and around the seeds (people find the pulp tasty, too; it’s sweet and tangy). But animals that eat the pulp will spit out the strong-tasting seeds, spreading them around the rainforest floor and allowing new trees to take root.

Where does chocolate come from?

Chocolate is made from cacao, which comes from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. (The Greek word Theobroma literally translates to “food of the gods.”) This species of tree thrives in tropical rainforests in Central and South America. There, it has a special mix of conditions that it needs to grow, like humidity and shade. The cacao tree is common in several wilderness areas, and no one really knows the reason: it could be that the cacao beats out other trees in competition, or that these wild populations are the result of large-scale plantations grown hundreds of years ago.

Where did cocoa originate?

Cocoa was first developed as a crop in many ancient South American cultures, with the Aztecs and Mayans being the most well-known of these indigenous populations. Researchers have found evidence of cocoa-based food dating back several thousand years.

What does chocolate mean in Nahuatl?

The modern word “chocolate” stems from two words in Nahuatl, the language spoken by many native groups: chocolatl, which translated literally means “hot water,” and cacahuatl, which referred to a bitter beverage made with cocoa that was shared during religious ceremonies. The cacao bean was so significant to the local cultures that it was used as a currency in trade, given to warriors as a post-battle reward, and served at royal feasts.

How did the exclusivity of chocolate affect the Industrial Revolution?

The exclusivity of chocolate was ultimately diminished by the onset of the Industrial Revolution, when steam-powered machines made the production of cocoa powder significantly quicker and more affordable.

How many tons of cocoa beans are consumed annually?

Throughout its centuries-long evolution, one factor has remained consistent and cocoa has attracted devotees worldwide. Today, over 4.5 million tons of cocoa beans are consumed annually around the globe, in everything from drinks to candy bars.

How long did chocolate stay secret?

After that point, chocolate became wildly popular amongst the Spanish, who kept the production method a secret from other Europeans for almost 100 years after their discovery. The Spanish could not hold onto their secret forever, and chocolate quickly spread across the rest of western Europe.

Is cocoa sustainable?

To secure the future of chocolate and ensure that it’s available for generations to come, it’s essential that sustainable farming practices and ethical means of production are implemented in the cocoa supply chain. WCF has teamed up with over 100 companies around the world to make the cocoa supply chain more sustainable.

Where do cocoa and cacao come from?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of cacao vs. cocoa, we need to understand where chocolate comes from. All chocolate products are derived from the cacao plant, which are clustered in pods and found on Theobroma cacao trees (fun fact: “Theobroma” means “ food of the gods ” in Greek). When you open up the pod, you’ll find a cacao bean. That bean is processed under low heat to remove the cacao butter and then milled into cacao powder. Cocoa, on the other hand, is made by removing the cacao butter with high heat before it is milled into cocoa powder.

How is cocoa made?

Cocoa, on the other hand, is made by removing the cacao butter with high heat before it is milled into cocoa powder.

What is the difference between cocoa and cacao?

What’s the difference between cocoa and cacao? Cocoa is sweeter and better for baking, while cacao is thought to have more antioxidants because of the cold-processing. It’s also lower in calories, which makes it a favorite of keto dieters. The cacao vs. cocoa debate can also be traced back to linguistics.

Is cacao an agricultural product?

Cacao is used to refer to the tree and its various parts . Once the seeds are fermented and therefore killed it is now an agricultural product and referred to as cocoa.”. Now that we’ve answered the cacao vs. cocoa question, here’s the excuse you’ve been looking for to snack on your favorite chocolates more often.

Is cacao the same as cocoa?

According to Greg D’Alesandre, Chocolate Sourcerer at Dandelion Chocolate, “‘Cacao’ is the term generally used in Latin America and ‘cocoa’ is used more often in Africa. But over time, the distinction between ‘cacao’ and ‘cocoa’ has become one of the plant versus the product.

Overview

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) belongs to the genus Theobroma classified under the subfamily Byttnerioideae of the mallow family Malvaceae. Cacao is one of 17 species of Theobroma.
In 2008, researchers proposed a new classification based upon morphological, geographic, and genomic criteria: 10 groups have been named according to their geographic origin or the traditional cultivar name. These groups are: Amelonado, Criollo, Nacional, Contamana, Curaray, Cacao gui…

Description

Distribution and domestication

Cultivation

Conservation

Genome

History of cultivation