About Cacao Beans, Cocoa and Chocolate
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About the Cacao Tree
The cacao tree is grown in the tropics, often in the shades of other trees. It can be as tall as 40 feet
(12 meters), and has fruits (pods) which are more than on foot (30 cm) long. The fruits may be brownish-yellow to
purple, and contain 20-40 seeds or cacao beans in a pink, sweet-sour pulp. Read more....
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Fermentation of Cacao
The cacao fruits are opened and the pulp and seeds are transferred to larger containers. This is either performed
by farmers, plantation workers, or in large cocoa factories were it is frequently done by machines. Read more....
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Drying and Roasting Cacao Beans
When the fermentation is terminated the cacao beans are sun-dried. At this stage the smell of cocoa can be
observed. In small plantations the fermented beans are spread by hand, and later turned over by hand or foot. Read more....
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Cacao Balls
In many cacao-producing countries the cacao beans are locally used for making "cocoa tea". The fermented beans are ground to a fine
paste, mixed with spices, and rolled into balls which are dried (in Jamaica and some other countries the ground cocoa is
rolled into sticks instead of balls). Read more....
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Manufacturing Cocoa
High quality cocoa powder must be easily dissolved and have good flavor. The beans used for the manufacture of cocoa are selected
especially for this purpose. The beans are first ground to cocoa paste. The pressure is employed to remove some of the fat, also
called cocoa butter. Read more....
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Manufacturing Chocolate
Chocolate contains three main ingredients: cocoa paste, cocoa butter, sugar, and emulsifier. Normally also vanilla is added.
Read more....
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Types of Chocolate
Several types of chocolate are produced: white chocolate, milk chocolate, semisweet dark chocolate, bitter chocolate,
and unsweetened chocolate. Here we explain the differences. Read more....
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Gourmet Chocolate Manufacturers
There are a number of gourmet chocolate manufacturers (specialty chocolate producers), primarily in Europe but also in the USA
and South America. We have listed a number of them on this page with links to some of their products. Read more....
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Cocoa and Chocolate Nutrition Facts
Cocoa and chocolate contain fat, carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other compounds. Many studies have
linked cocoa and dark chocolate with health benefits. Read more....
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Baking with Chocolate and Cocoa
About using chocolate and cocoa for baking. Read more...
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Buy Chocolate
Here you can buy chocolate or browse chocolate products from several manufacturers. Read more...
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Cacao Producing Countries
Cacao beans are grown in a number of countries located near the Equator. Read more...
Map is from World66 based on information from
ICCO.
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