Where do cocoa beans originally come from?

Where do cocoa beans originally come from?

Fruit of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), the source of cocoa and chocolate. The plant is native to tropical regions of Central and South America but is primarily cultivated in western Africa.

What plant do cocoa beans come from?

Theobroma cacao, also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, is a small (4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall) evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae,. Its seeds, cocoa beans, are used to make chocolate liquor, cocoa solids, cocoa butter and chocolate.

Can cocoa beans grow in the US?

Cocoa beans do indeed grow in the USA, but only in very limited areas. Much like their parent trees, cocoa beans need constant warm temperatures in order to thrive – usually between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit – along with high humidity and ample rainfall (40-100 inches annually).

Where are cacao trees found?

Africa is the leading cacao producing continent generating 70% of the world’s cacao. Cacao trees are also grown on the continents of North America, South America, and Asia. Major cacao- growing countries include Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, and Indonesia.

Is it legal to grow cacao?

Cacao trees are quite finicky. They need protection from sun and wind, which is why they thrive in the understory of warm rainforests. In the United States, that means the tree can only be grown in USDA zones 11-13 – Hawaii, parts of southern Florida and southern California as well as tropical Puerto Rico.

Which country is the largest cocoa producer?

Ghana
The Ivory Coast and Ghana are by far the two largest producers of cocoa, accounting for more than 50 percent of the world´s cocoa. In 2016, the Ivory Coast alone produced approximately 1.6 million metric tons of cocoa beans.

Where do we source our cocoa beans?

Other major producers were Ghana (17%) and Indonesia (13%). As of 2019, over 75% of cocoa produced worldwide comes from West Africa, specifically Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria. Côte D’Ivoire alone produces more than 40% of cocoa beans grown throughout the world.

What continent do cocoa beans come from?

What Is Cacao (The Cocoa Bean)? Description. The cocoa bean is a seed found contained within the fruit pods that come from the cocoa tree. Varieties and Growth. Cocoa trees begin bearing pods in about 3 to 4 years. Suitable Ecological Zones For Production. History of Cocoa. Economic Value.

Do cocoa beans grow on trees?

Cocoa beans grow on a tree called Theobroma cacao and are the base ingredient for making chocolate. The relatively small tree is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America and it thrives in moist, shady areas of the rain forest.

What country does the cocoa bean come from?

The production of cocoa begins in the tropical regions around the Equator, where the hot and humid climate is well suited for growing cocoa trees. 70% of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon . How was cocoa powder invented? It is chocolate!”