Yummy Chocolate !

Cocoa has a rich history dating back to the Aztec and Mayan civilization in Mexico. Columbus introduced Cocoa to court in 1500’s. Cocoa is a well-known tree grown within 10 of the equator. It is the raw material for chocolate. African countries have been the leading producers of cocoa, producing two thirds of the world’s cocoa. Cote d’ivoire and Ghana being the greatest contributors. More than 80% of the cocoa produced in Africa is by small land holders (in farms less than 5 hectors). It is mostly grown under shaded trees with other crops. This makes for economical and technological challenges especially in light of pests and diseases. Smallholder’s cocoa growing is a lot of effort and is a family business. Cocoa beans take a long time to grow and take 40 years to grow. Cocoa beans are contained in pods, which arise from flower cushions from the trunk of branches on trees. Pods contain 30-40 beans. They are harvested and fermented during which chemical changes take place in the pod leading to enhancement in cocoa flavor. Next they are dried and traded. There are three types of cocoa grown; they are criollo, forestaro, and trinitario. Forestaro is most commonly grown. Almost 93% of the cocoa plantation in the world is forestaro.