The Caco Bean

The cacao bean grows on the cacao tree. The first step in chocolate production is to harvesting these beans. The beans are cut open, the pulp is removed, and the husks are discarded or used for other purposes. The pulp and the seeds are mixed and then left to ferment for up to 10 days. The beans are then cleaned, roasted, cracked and blown. The end result is a chocolate liquor. This liquuor is then poured into a mold, where it hardens into blocks of dark, unsweetend chocolate