Current and future status (description, current use, forecast of future needs, suppliers, price, terms, annual expenses, mode of transportation, ongoing contracts)DESCRIPTIONThe cocoa bean Cocoa (cocoa bean) is a product that derives from the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao – the food of the gods), an evergreen tree that begins to produce fruit at the age of 4-5 years. The tree can grow to about 50 feet in the wild, although cocoa trees on plantations are kept between 15 and 25 feet tall because they are typically grown under a canopy of taller trees, which makes them taller. easy to harvest as well as protecting them from strong winds. Of the thousands of tiny pink or white flowers that grow on a single tree, fewer than 10 percent develop into mature fruit. Cocoa pods grow directly from the trunk and main branches of trees. A cocoa pod will begin to ripen 5-6 months after flowering. The cocoa fruit is shaped like an elongated soccer ball and can grow up to 11 inches long and 5 inches wide. The average weight of a mature cocoa pod is slightly less than 1 pound and can range in color from yellow, green to dark brown. Once a cocoa tree has reached maturity it is capable of producing 20 pods over the course of a year, each containing 20-60 seeds surrounded by a white pulp called mucilage. Each tree is capable of producing enough seeds to produce nearly 2.5 pounds of chocolate per year. The growing season is continuous: they ripen throughout the year, we talk about months and seasons*VARIETIES OF COCOA TREE There are three main groups of cocoa beans: CriolloCriollo produces the highest quality and is described as having flavor and exceptional aroma, however, seems to be the most expensive. Forastero Forastero is the most commonly grown......middle of paper......squeezing. The liquor is pumped into large hydraulic presses that apply approximately 6,000 pounds per square inch to the liquor. The intense pressure forces the cocoa butter out, which is removed through the filters. Cocoa butter contains no flavor or flavor. Cocoa butter is used to make chocolate. Cocoa butter is used in cosmetic products such as makeup and soaps. The pressed cake that remains after three-quarters of the cocoa butter has been removed can be cooled, pulverized, and sifted into natural cocoa powder. Coca powder is used to make chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, ice cream, cakes, etc., drinks and baked goods. Cocoa powder is used in a variety of chocolate-flavored foods and drinks. There are two types of cocoa powder: natural and Dutch pressed. Dutch Pressed has a more delicate flavor achieved by changing the pH and making the cocoa powder less acidic and more basic.