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What are 3 facts about cocoa?
For today’s Did You Know we will look at Cocoa fun facts. They look like small melons, and the pulp inside contains 20 to 50 seeds or beans. It takes 5 years for a cocoa tree to produce its first seed pods. It takes about 400 beans to make a pound of chocolate. December 13th is National Cocoa Day.
What are cocoa beans for?
Cocoa is the key ingredient in chocolate and chocolate confections. The cocoa bean is the seed of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), a tropical plant indigenous to the equatorial regions of the Americas. From the processed cocoa bean comes the fluid paste, or liquor, from which cocoa powder and chocolate are made.
Where does the cocoa bean come from?
The Theobroma cacao tree originated in the upper Amazon basin region (Brazil, Colombia, and Peru). Today, cacao is grown by 40-50 million cocoa farmers in more than 50 countries around the world. 90% of the world’s cocoa is grown on small family farms, while only 5% is grown on larger commercial plantations.
Did you know facts about cocoa beans?
It takes a cocoa tree five years to produce its first cocoa beans (pods). The peak growing period for a cocoa tree is a duration of 10 years. Cocoa beans are called “cocoa” beans and not “cacao” beans because of a spelling mistake made by English importers in the 18th century when chocolate was becoming popular.
How do cocoa beans grow?
COCOA IS GROWN ON TREES They are called pods. The pods contain seeds which are called cocoa beans. The beans are made up of a seed coat, a kernel and a germ. Cocoa needs a high temperature, plenty of water, and air that is always moist.
How old are cocoa beans?
It was first domesticated 5,300 years ago, in equatorial South America, before being introduced in Central America by the Olmecs (Mexico). More than 4,000 years ago, it was consumed by pre-Hispanic cultures along the Yucatán, including the Maya, and as far back as Olmeca civilization in spiritual ceremonies.
Who discovered cocoa beans?
Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It’s here that the first cacao plants were found. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate. They drank their chocolate during rituals and used it as medicine.
Who discovered the cocoa bean?
Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It’s here that the first cacao plants were found. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
Who first used cocoa beans?
the Olmecs
It was first domesticated 5,300 years ago, in equatorial South America, before being introduced in Central America by the Olmecs (Mexico). More than 4,000 years ago, it was consumed by pre-Hispanic cultures along the Yucatán, including the Maya, and as far back as Olmeca civilization in spiritual ceremonies.
Who first grew cocoa beans?
The Olmec
Who invented chocolate? Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It’s here that the first cacao plants were found. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
Where was cocoa first found?
What Is the Birthplace of Chocolate? Archaeologists have discovered the earliest traces of cacao in pottery used by the ancient Mayo-Chinchipe culture 5,300 years ago in the upper Amazon region of Ecuador.
Which country produces most cocoa?
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are by far the two largest producers of cocoa, accounting for over 60% of global cocoa production, followed by Ecuador with seven percent.
Which soil is good for cocoa?
sandy loam soil
Cocoa requires deep and well drained soils. Poorly drained soil affects growth of plants. Majority of area under Cocoa cultivation is on clay loam and sandy loam soil. It grows well in the pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.
How did chocolate get its name?
Etymologists trace the origin of the word “chocolate” to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” which referred to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.”
Why is cocoa called the food of gods?
An ancient Toltec myth identifies Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, as planter of the cacao trees in the tropics of southern Mexico. He was called “the god of light, the giver of the drink of the gods, chocolate.” Both the Mayas and Aztecs regarded chocolate as a potent aphrodisiac.
What kind of climate does cocoa need to grow?
hot and humid climate
Cocoa trees don’t just grow anywhere. In fact, they need a hot and humid climate to flourish. Cocoa evolved in the Amazonian forests as an under-storey crop, so they like to be under forest trees or other crops where there is shelter from direct light.
How does the cocoa bean get its bitter taste?
Voluntary Sustainability Standards. There are numerous voluntary certifications including Fair Trade and UTZ (now part of Rainforest Alliance) for cocoa which aim to differentiate between conventional cocoa production and that
What is the history of the cocoa bean?
Description. The cocoa bean is a seed found contained within the fruit pods that come from the cocoa tree.
What country does the cocoa bean come from?
The cocoa tree needs high temperatures, humid conditions and plenty of rainfall to grow successfully. For these reasons, cocoa is produced predominantly in the hot and humid regions of Africa, but also in Asia, Central and South America and Australia.
What does cocoa bean taste like?
A cacao bean really tastes nothing like chocolate. It’s probably closer to an espresso bean, though definitely not as strong and bitter, and nothing like coffee. The only thing that is remotely similar, ironically enough, is chocolate covered espresso beans, which you can get at most candy stores in the mall. The after-texture of the cacao bean