Cocoa bean

Product Description

Cocoa, Theobroma cacao, is an evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, grown for its seeds (beans) which are used primarily in the manufacture of chocolate. The cocoa plant is a branching tree with with simple, pointed (lanceolate) leaves which can measure up to *1 cm (*4 in) long and *0 cm (4 in) wide. The tree produces clusters of pale yellow flowers each with five petals and sepals. The cocoa pods (drupes) can be green-white, yellow, purplish or red in color each of which contains ***0 seeds, usually arranged in five distinct rows. The cocoa tree can reach **0 m (****6 ft) in height and can live for up to *0 years although the commercial life of a cocoa tree is usually about *5 years. Cocoa may also be referred to as cacao, koko or Kacao and originates from upper Amazon region of South America.
Cocoa beans are primarily used in the production of chocolate, cocoa powder and cocoa butter for consumption. Cocoa butter is also used in the cosmetic industry.