The difference between cacao and cocoa: Cacao is the bean. It's only when they are fermented, dried, and roasted that they become cocoa. The 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.
December 13th is National Cocoa Day.
Cacao trees produce orange fruit (or pods) the size of small pumpkins. Inside the pods you will find as many as 50 beans.
Cacao trees need to be planted next to tall trees in order to protect them from direct sunlight. This is why you often see cacao trees planted amongst mango and papaya trees. The soil influences the flavors of the cacao beans.
Flowers can blossom on cacao trees all year around, however the flowers will die within 24 hours if not pollinated. It takes 3 to 5 years before the cacao tree bears fruit. Each tree produces around 1,000 beans a year, but that is only enough to make just 2 pounds of chocolate.
Cocoa butter is the fattiest part of the bean. It's the white outside border inside an individual cocoa bean. It is extracted through pressing and exposure to high temperatures.
Every stage of cocoa production is done by hand: planting, irrigating, harvesting, fermenting and drying.
Over 70% of the world's cocoa comes from West Africa, which provides the bulk of cocoa used for mass-produced chocolate.
Certain parts of the cocoa bean are known to have antibacterial properties that fight tooth decay and have been so successful in studies they may one day get added to toothpaste.
There are three different main cocoa varieties: Forastero, the most common and most bitter; Criollo, very valuable, fragrant, and delicate; and Trinatorio, a hybrid of the first two with a lightly fruity aroma
Did You Know...?
Chocolate lovers can easily spend the entire year visiting one chocolate festival after another- there are so many. From big cities like New York and Denver to resorts like Winter Park and small towns like Hershey, there is a chocolate festival near you wherever you live! These indulgent celebrations of chocolates are often accompanied by great local music, foods, local wines and craft beers, and all sorts of activities.