| |
| SPECIES
NAME: |
Theobroma
cacao (from the family Sterculiaceae) |
|
| CACAO: |
Name
of the plant and the unmanufactured product. |
|
| COCOA:
|
Products
manufactured from the bean-like seeds of the tree. |
|
COMMERCIAL
TYPES OF
COCOA: |
Criollo,
Forastero, Trinitaio and Hawaiian. Forastero is the most important
commercial type and produces "bulk" cocoa. |
|
PRODUCER
COUNTRIES: |
Generally
tropical and subtropical countries such as Brazil, Africa,
Malaysia and Hawaii. |
|
GROWING
CONDITIONS: |
Areas
lying within 20 degrees latitude of the equator. Temperature
ranges of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual rainfall between
60 and 80 inches. No persistent strong winds. Soil conditions
can vary, but a firm root-hold and moisture retention are
necessary. |
|
| LIFESPAN: |
Cocoa
trees generally begin to bear fruit after three years and
can live up to 100 years after maturity. |
|
| PROPAGATION: |
Cocoa
trees are bisexual and pollination occurs primarily through
the small midge fly. Mature trees produce approximately 10,000
flowers per year of which 10,000 become pollinated and 100
develop into mature pods. Normally, a pod contains 20 to 40
seeds, which become cocoa beans when harvested. |
