Cacao usage

Cacao is the raw ingredient used to produce chocolate. Its beans are harvested from the cacao tree, fermented, dried, and then roasted to develop flavor. The processed beans are ground into cacao mass, which contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Cacao is used in various forms—raw, roasted, as cacao powder, or cacao nibs—to add rich, complex flavors to foods and beverages. It also provides antioxidants and health benefits. Overall, cacao is the foundational component that gives chocolate its distinctive taste and texture.