Chocolate comes from the seed of a fruit that grows in a pod on a tree.
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 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