Chocolate process

All about growing Chocolate pods and the processing method

• Cocoa trees grew originally in the Amazon rain forests, under the shade of the big trees, where there is all year rainfall and high temperatures, humidity and moist soil.
  
• Cocoa trees are now grown all over Central America but predominantly now in North Africa. Where 2/3 of the worlds production grows.
  
• But it is said the original Amazon Variety produces the best tasting Chocolate.
  
• Trees are pruned at 20 ft but can grow over double that. This is so the pods can be harvested of ladders.
  
• The Cocoa pods grow directly on to the trunk and the thicker branches.
  
• The tree blossoms in pink and only a few of these actually grow in to the pods.
  
• Pods are the size of a coconut but Almond shaped and come in a variety of colours.
  
• 2 Million tons of Coco Beans are produced worldwide every year.
  
• The production method is the same as the Aztecs, the pods are split open and the beans removed manually
  
• Up to 45 beans are contained inside the pod, set in a white gooey inner.
  
• The beans and gooey inner are then left to ferment in casks lined with banana leaves for up to 9 days.
  
• The beans are then spread out on the ground and left to sundry for a week.
  
• They are then Graded, Bagged and Shipped.
  
• The western processing plants roast, shell and then grind them down to produce a liquid chocolate.
  
• This contains 54% Cocoa Butter which is then transformed to chocolate by further processing, depending on the Chocolate
• Manufacturer.

And that is growing a Chocolate Bar.