cacao

/kəˈkaʊ/

/kəˈkaʊ/

Other forms: cacaos

Cacao is the tropical tree whose beans turn into the chocolate we all love. Cacao beans go on a journey to become everything from rich chocolate bars to your cozy cup of hot cocoa.

Cacao beans grow in the pods of the cacao tree, which thrives in the lush climates of the tropics. The beans undergo a transformation through fermentation, drying, and roasting, unlocking their deep, rich flavors essential for chocolate making. Historically, cacao was so prized that the ancient Maya and Aztecs used it as money. From these precious beans, we get cocoa powder and chocolate, making cacao essential for every hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookie we savor. And don't forget about cocoa butter, which is used for all sorts of things from cooking and medicine to skin care and cosmetics.

Definitions of cacao

1. noun

   a tropical tree producing beans used to make chocolate
   synonyms: Theobroma cacao, cacao tree, chocolate tree

   types:

   cacao bean, cocoa bean

   seed of the cacao tree; ground roasted beans are source of chocolate

   type of:

   angiospermous tree, flowering tree

   any tree having seeds and ovules contained in the ovary
2. noun

   a bean from a tropical tree used to make chocolate and cocoa products