Chocolate comes from the seed of a fruit that grows in a pod on a tree.
Cacao pod in Costa Rica
Cacao pod from Costa RicaCacao trees can only grow 20 degrees north and south of the equator. One tree can grow x amount of pods that have x amount of seeds. The come in all shapes, sizes and colours but generally look like a football.
When the pod is ripe they are removed from the tree. (Bulk cacao vs fermented?) Cacao must be fermented within 2 days of being picked.
Fermentation process.
Fermentation Center in Upala, Costa Rica
Fermentation bins in Upala, Costa Rica
Drying bed in Upala, Costa Rica
What do we do?
This is my fabulous left-aligned pullquote.
Roast
Winnow
Grind
Conch
Temper
Mold
Wrap.. that’a a wrap