cocoa beans

Cocoa beans are the seeds of the cacao tree, native to tropical regions. They are the primary ingredient in chocolate. Harvested from cacao pods, the beans undergo fermentation, drying, and roasting processes to develop their rich flavor. After roasting, the beans are cracked open to separate the nibs, which are ground to produce cocoa mass (or chocolate liquor) that can be further processed into cocoa powder and cocoa butter. Cocoa beans are also valued for their antioxidant properties and are used in various culinary applications beyond chocolate, such as beverages and desserts.