Theobroma cacao

03/27/2024

Our cacao pods have arrived, and a journey begins. With the guidance of Biosecurity Tasmania, we have landed the first fresh cacao pods into Tasmania.

With the pods from our friends in Far North Queensland, , we are taking on the challenge to grow Theobroma Cacao plants in a cool climate. As far as we know, if successful, these would be the Southernmost cacao plants grown anywhere in the world.

Once the seedlings sprout, we will have them on display in our small display greenhouse in the gardens, but please be patient, 😊 cacao could take between 2 and 5 years to mature.

03/27/2024

03/21/2024

What is the fat content of cocoa?
Experts tested five types of cocoa: which brands passed ...
Fatness Cocoa can be regular (with 20% fat and above) and with a reduced fat content (below 20% fat, usually 10-11%). The amount of lipids affects the cost of the product, its calorie content and taste. The more fat, the more expensive the product and includes more calories, but its taste is richer, oilier.

03/21/2024

How does cocoa bloom?
In the equatorial climate, the cocoa tree blooms all year round. Its flowers have different shades, from pink to red, and grow not only on the branches, but also directly from the trunk. On plantations, cocoa trees begin to bear fruit only 3-5 years after planting. Fruits ripen within 5-6 months.

03/19/2024

What does a cocoa tree look like?
The tree is short, 3-8 m tall, sometimes reaching 12 m, with taproot (1 m long) and numerous lateral roots. The trunk of the tree is straight, the branches are twisted. The dark green leaves are oval in shape, entire, shiny and quite large. The length of the leaf varies on average from 20 to 40 cm, and the width from 7 to 15 cm.

03/17/2024

Which country is the largest producer of cocoa?
As for Cote d'Ivoire, the "tradition" of growing cocoa was imposed there during colonial times by the French, and now the country is the world's largest producer of cocoa. Slightly less important producers are Indonesia, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Most of the plantations are located on small farms with fields of up to five hectares.

03/15/2024

Where did cocoa come from?
Cacao was domesticated at least 4,000 years ago, first in the Amazon basin and then in Central America. The oldest archaeological finds of cocoa date back to 3500 BC. e., come from Ecuador. In Mexico and Central America, vessels with cacao residues date back to 1900 BC.

03/13/2024

What is the benefit of cocoa?
daily use of cocoa improves metabolism; accelerate the regeneration of the skin, thanks to the useful substances contained in the fruits of the chocolate tree; cocoa for children improves well-being and gives energy; thanks to dopamine, cocoa consumption improves mood and prevents depression.