Cacao

A tree that grows in tropical regions and produces a bean or seed known as the cocoa bean. The tree produces a yellowish red fruit (pod) that contains a white fleshy pulp, which surrounds numerous seeds. As the fruit matures the pods are cut open to expose the pulp, allowing it to ferment so the seeds can be easily removed. The seeds are then dried by the sun or steam and are processed into chocolate, cocoa butter or cocoa powder.