The History of Cacao

Front

What environment is needed for cacao trees to grow?

Back

Cacao is a tropical crop that requires high rainfall, warm temperatures, and shade from rainforest trees to thrive.

Front

How are cacao beans and fruit pods connected?

Back

Cacao beans come from inside of fruit pods.

Front

How did chocolate make its way to Europe?

Back

Spanish explorers tasted it when they sailed to Mesoamerica and were intrigued.

Front

Who were the first people to discover cacao beans?

Back

The Olmecs were the first people to discover cacao beans.

Front

What were cacao beans used for in Mesoamerica?

Back

Cacao beans were used for religious ceremonies, to create a frothy drink, and for trade.

Front

What is cacao?

Back

Cacao is the raw material from which chocolate is made, derived from the seeds of the cacao tree.

Front

What are the main products derived from cacao?

Back

The main products are cacao beans, cacao butter, and chocolate.

Front

What role did the Maya play in the history of cacao?

Back

The Maya cultivated cacao and used it in rituals and as a beverage.

Front

What is the significance of cacao in Mesoamerican culture?

Back

Cacao was considered sacred and was used in religious ceremonies and as currency.

Front

How is cacao harvested?

Back

Cacao is harvested by cutting the ripe fruit pods from the cacao tree and extracting the beans.