Cacao bean

A cacao bean is the seed of the cacao tree, native to tropical regions. It’s the primary ingredient in chocolate production. Inside each pod, the beans are surrounded by a sweet, white pulp. After harvesting, the beans are fermented, dried, and roasted, which develops their rich, complex flavors. Once processed, the beans are ground into cacao mass, providing ingredients like cocoa solids and cocoa butter used in making chocolate. Cacao beans are valued not only for chocolate but also for their health benefits, as they are rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.