Cocoa beans grow in pod clusters on the trunk of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cocao). They are native to Mexico but nowadays are largely grown in Western Africa (predominantly in the Ivory Coast and Ghana). The tree grows to be 4 to 8 meters tall and prefers rainy and tropical areas. Used in a variety of chocolate products, the cocoa pods contain between 20 to 60 beans which are surrounded by a white pulp used for juice. The cocoa tree bears fruit, which is ready for harvesting after approximately 5 years and reaches its peak harvesting potential after 10 years.
