CACAO PRODUCING COUNTRIES
Grenada - Cacao Plantations
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The cacao bean
Grenada is producing high quality cacao beans, almost entirely the Trinitario variety but also a small
amount of the Forastero variety. Grenada has one of the richest cocoas in the world.
Grenada's production of cacao is not very large, only about 800 metric tons a year. However, the export of cacao
generates about 40% of the total income from export of agricultural products.
When visiting Grenada you can hire a local taxi driver to visit one or more cacao plantations, a cacao processing plant,
and the local Grenada Chocolate Company which only uses locally produced cacao beans to manufacture some delicious
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Fermenting cacao beans
The cacao fruits are opened and the pulp and seeds are transferred to larger containers. In Grenada this
is either performed by farmers or plantation workers. The cacao beans are later transferred to wooden crates
with banana leaves in between and on top to enable an optimal fermentation. The duration of the fermentation affects
the aroma, so if well-developed aroma is wanted the beans are fermentation for a longer time.
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Drying cacao beansWhen the fermentation is terminated the cacao beans are sun-dried. At this stage the smell of cocoa
can be observed. In Grenada the fermented beans are spread by hand, and later turned over by hand or foot.
The beans are dried on wooden floors which can either be covered by a sliding roof if it starts to rain, or the
wooden floor can slide under a roof.
The drying process takes 1-2 weeks, and during that period the color changes from reddish brown to dark brown.
The beans are then polished by a machine to obtain an improved visual appearance. Previously the beans were polished
by "dancing the cacao beans"; the dancers polished the beans with their feet in a dance-like manner.
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Belmont Estate
We recommend a visit to Belmont estate where you can learn about the
processing of cacao beans. Belmont Estate is an agri-tourism product that integrates local history, culture, traditions
and cuisine into the settings of a 17th century old fully functioning 400 acre cocoa and nutmeg plantation.
Belmont Estate has also a restaurant, a non-alcoholic bar service and a museum.
CacaoWeb's editor highly recommends a visit to Belmont Estate, followed by a visit to Grenada
Chocolate Company.
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