Criollo Chocolate: Efficient Food of the Gods". MetaEfficient. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008 . Retrieved 17 May 2008.

Cocoa farmers - Fairtrade Foundation Cocoa farmers - Fairtrade Foundation

Chocolate is one of the UK’s favourite foods. The farmers growing cocoa however, do not reap the rewards of its popularity, with many experiencing extreme poverty. Together with farmers and businesses, Fairtrade is working for a fairer future. Combating Child Labour in Cocoa Growing" (PDF). International Labour Organization. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2005 . Retrieved 26 April 2012.

Where does cocoa come from?

Overall, cocoa beans have a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries and cultures, from their sacred use in ancient Mesoamerica to their modern-day status as a global culinary staple. Cocoa, also spelled as cacao, is native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Ivory Coast in West Africa is the leading producer of cocoa beans in the world. However, it is nearly impossible to keep below these temperatures when treating the cocoa bean. To make traditional chocolate, cocoa beans are fermented, dried, roasted, pressed and ground. The process is almost the same for raw cocoa beans, but the key distinction is that the beans skip the roasting phase. Fresh cocoa beans can be used for making desserts: peel beans, mix chopped nuts, and honey. This dish has a pleasant mild taste and almost no bitterness.

Cacao Beans: Health Benefits and Ways To Use – Healthy Blog Cacao Beans: Health Benefits and Ways To Use – Healthy Blog

Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer (31 March 2011). "Oversight of Public and Private Initiatives to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Cocoa Sector of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana" (PDF). Tulane University. pp.7–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2012 . Retrieved 26 April 2012. For pods high on the tree, a pruning hook type of tool can be used, with a handle on the end of a long pole. By pushing or pulling according to the position of the fruit, the upper and lower blades of the tool enable the stalk to be cut cleanly without damaging the branch that bears it.Conching: The chocolate liquor (or a mixture of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and other ingredients) is heated and continuously mixed in a conching machine. This step refines the chocolate’s texture and develops its flavour.