Speaking of Chocolate

Cacao is pronounced (kuh-kah-oh  or  kuh-KAI-o).

Cacao refers to the Cacao tree (chocolate tree to some). Cacao trees are tropical trees native to South America. Ultimately, Cacao trees produce cocoa beans.

To be more specific the Cacao tree has fruit that’s a pod. The pod contains a pulp. The seeds (cocoa “beans”) are embedded in the pulp in rows. After harvesting, producers put the pods and seeds through a process that may include fermentation, curing and roasting. In other words, you don’t just want to eat cocoa pulp or seeds straight off the tree unless you’re looking for something that’s bitter and not quite palatable.

Clean kernels are called cocoa nibs. This is what remains after the seeds are fermented, dried, and roasted. These cocoa nibs are manufactured into products. The quality of the cocoa nibs is one factor that can affect the flavor of your chocolate treat.

Fat removed from the cocoa nibs is what’s referred to as cocoa butter. Cocoa butter may be used in the production of non-edible products too such as soaps and cosmetics.

The residue is ground to a powder called cocoa. Cocoa is what’s used for beverages and flavoring. (A cup of hot cocoa anyone?) Chocolate retains the cocoa butter.

BOTTOM LINE: Cacao leads to cocoa and chocolate. Yea…whatever…pass the chocolate please.

Here is the more formal definition of chocolate…

Chocolate is a product created from the seeds of cacao (trees). The chocolate product can be sweetened and flavored. It can be used as a flavoring and ingredient in other foods and beverages. The final creation can be confectionary such as a solid piece of chocolate candy. Or the chocolate can be the confectionary covering of your candy or cookie. Chocolate also can be part of a beverage such as chocolate milk. Or perhaps you’ve seen chocolate in the appearance of chocolate syrup that you’ve used to top off your ice cream.

BOTTOM LINE: Chocolate does grow on trees! (Well…sort of).

That’s the formal definition of chocolate. You probably have a much more informal way of defining chocolate. So what is it? What’s your definition of chocolate?