The cocoa bean, also known as cocoa (/ ˈ k oʊ. k oʊ /) or cacao (/ k ə ˈ k aʊ /), [1] is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, the cacao tree, from which cocoa solids (a mixture of nonfat substances) and cocoa butter (the fat) can be extracted.

Jul 12, 2023 · Chocolate is made from cacao beans — or rather seeds — from the Theobroma cacao tree. This plant produces large, pod-like fruits, each containing 20–60 beans surrounded by a sticky, sweet-tart...

Oct 17, 2023 · Cacao is the name of the small tree native to the Amazon basin that grows cacao, or cocoa, beans. Its scientific name, Theobroma cacao, translates to "food of the Gods." The ancient Mayans and...

Jan 10, 2025 · Cocoa bean, seed of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), which is used to create cocoa and cocoa butter, key ingredients of chocolate. The beans themselves can be crushed or chopped into “nibs” for a variety of culinary uses, from salad dressing to ice cream toppings; they can also add thickness to a

Theobroma cacao (cacao tree or cocoa tree) is a small (6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall) evergreen tree in the Malvaceae family. [1][3] Its seeds - cocoa beans - are used to make chocolate liquor, cocoa solids, cocoa butter and chocolate. [4] .

Jan 28, 2025 · Its seeds, called cocoa beans, are processed into cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate. This article treats the cultivation of the cacao plant. For information on the processing of cocoa and the history of its use, see the article cocoa.

Apr 25, 2017 · The cocoa bean (or cacao) is native to South America, and is used to produce a wide array of culinary treats including chocolate and hot cocoa.

Jan 9, 2024 · Cacao refers to the Theobroma cacao tree and the raw, unrefined bean that comes from the tree’s fruit [1]. Cacao is used to make chocolate. While it’s unclear exactly when humans discovered the...

Fermentation is an important step in processing cocoa beans to make chocolate. In fermentation, beans that have been removed from their pods are put together in close proximity.

Jan 9, 2025 · Cacao is made from the beans of the Theobroma cacao evergreen tree. The tree belongs to the Malvaceae family, and the beans can be used to make edible products, such as powders, butter, and nibs. Cacao is often confused with cocoa because they are derived from the cacao tree beans.