Cocoa tree

Several centuries before the Common Era, the Maya were already using the cocoa tree. Later, many major civilizations of Central America did the same. Often associated with rituals and rites of passage, cacao fruits were used as offerings. The Maya and the Aztecs also used cocoa butter to treat various ailments. At the same time, dried cocoa pods served as a form of currency.

The Spanish, and in turn Europeans, discovered the cocoa tree following the conquest of the Americas in the 15th century. The first chocolate factories then appeared in Italy in the early 17th century.

The cocoa tree pulp may be eaten as is or used in preparing refreshments and soft drinks.

The seeds, which are rich in lipids, are used to produce cocoa powder for making chocolate and confectionery after fermentation and roasting. They are also used to produce cocoa butter. Finally, cocoa seeds contain alkaloids, including the stimulant theobromine.