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69-745: The department of Norte de Santander is for the most part situated in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes . The northeastern majority of the department is part of the Maracaibo Lake drainage basin , while the southwestern tip of Norte de Santander forms part of the Magdalena River basin. The southeasternmost part of the department is located in the Orinoco River basin. The department, reaching to an altitude of 3,329 metres (10,922 ft) in

138-461: A barrier to small farmers, and particularly, female farmers. The primary benefits to certification include improving conservation practices and reducing the use of agrochemicals, business support through cooperatives and resource sharing, and a higher price for cocoa beans which can improve the standard of living for farmers. Fair trade cocoa producer groups are established in Belize, Bolivia, Cameroon,

207-515: A botanical basis. They are still used frequently in marketing material. Criollo has traditionally been the most prized variety. Believed to have been native to South America, by the time of the Spanish conquest they were grown in Mesoamerica. After European colonization, disease and population decrease led to the Spanish and Portuguese using different cacao varieties from South America. Different from

276-573: A class action lawsuit filed by eight former children from Mali who alleged that the companies aided and abetted their enslavement on cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast . The suit accused Barry Callebaut , Cargill , The Hershey Company , Mars , Mondelez , Nestlé , and Olam International , of knowingly engaging in forced labour , and the plaintiffs sought damages for unjust enrichment , negligent supervision , and intentional infliction of emotional distress . In 2022, world production of cocoa beans

345-453: A lemonade-like taste enclosing 30 to 50 large seeds that are fairly soft and a pale lavender to dark brownish purple color. During harvest, the pods are opened, the seeds are kept, and the empty pods are discarded and the pulp made into juice. The seeds are placed where they can ferment. Due to heat buildup in the fermentation process, cacao beans lose most of the purplish hue and become mostly brown in color, with an adhered skin which includes

414-619: A limited geographical zone; today, West Africa produces nearly 81% of the world's crop. The three main varieties of cocoa plant are Forastero , Criollo, and Trinitario; Forastero is the most widely used. In 2020, global cocoa bean production reached 5.8 million tonnes, with Ivory Coast leading at 38% of the total, followed by Ghana and Indonesia . Cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder are traded on futures markets, with London focusing on West African cocoa and New York on Southeast Asian cocoa. Various international and national initiatives aim to support sustainable cocoa production, including

483-557: A public-private partnership with the governments of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to address child labor practices in the cocoa industry. As of 2017, approximately 2.1 million children in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire were involved in harvesting cocoa, carrying heavy loads, clearing forests, and being exposed to pesticides. According to Sona Ebai, the former secretary general of the Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries: "I think child labor cannot be just

552-443: A ship's hold or in containers, is still common. Throughout Mesoamerica where they are native, cocoa beans are used for a variety of foods. The harvested and fermented beans may be ground to order at tiendas de chocolate , or chocolate mills. At these mills, the cocoa can be mixed with a variety of ingredients such as cinnamon , chili peppers , almonds , vanilla , and other spices to create drinking chocolate . The ground cocoa

621-520: A slow flow, ending in the Zulia River, flowing towards Maracaibo Lake. Most of this river is above 150 metres (490 ft) above sea level. The total length of the river is about 115 kilometres (71 mi) and its watershed covers 137,524 hectares (339,830 acres). The confluence of the Pamplonita and Zulia Rivers is located near the urban area of Cúcuta, the capital of Norte de Santander, in particular

690-519: A small blood pressure lowering effect. The beans also contain theobromine and a small amount of caffeine . The tree takes five years to grow and has a typical lifespan of 100 years. Cocoa is a variant of cacao, likely due to confusion with the word coco . It is ultimately derived from kakaw(a) , but whether that word originates in Nahuatl or a Mixe-Zoquean language is the subject of substantial linguistic debate. The term cocoa beans originated in

759-423: A tree rather than from the end of a branch, similar to jackfruit . This makes harvesting by hand easier as most of the pods will not be up in the higher branches. The pods on a tree do not ripen together; harvesting needs to be done periodically through the year. Harvesting occurs between three and four times weekly during the harvest season. The ripe and near-ripe pods, as judged by their colour, are harvested from

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828-502: Is 9–10% of the total weight in the pod. One person can separate the beans from about 2000 pods per day. The wet beans are then transported to a facility so they can be fermented and dried. The farmer removes the beans from the pods, packs them into boxes or heap them into piles, then covers them with mats or banana leaves for three to seven days. Finally, the beans are trodden and shuffled about (often using bare human feet) and sometimes, during this process, red clay mixed with water

897-536: Is also an important ingredient in tejate . The first allegations that child slavery is used in cocoa production appeared in 1998. In late 2000, a BBC documentary reported the use of enslaved children in the production of cocoa in West Africa. Other media followed by reporting widespread child slavery and child trafficking in the production of cocoa. The cocoa industry was accused of profiting from child slavery and trafficking. The Harkin–Engel Protocol

966-664: Is an effort to end these practices. In 2001, it was signed and witnessed by the heads of eight major chocolate companies, US senators Tom Harkin and Herb Kohl , US Representative Eliot Engel , the ambassador of the Ivory Coast, the director of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor, and others. It has, however, been criticized by some groups including the International Labor Rights Forum as an industry initiative which falls short, as

1035-657: Is at Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, through a delta called La Empalizada ("the fence"). Early sections of the Catatumbo River are known as Chorro Oroque, Rio de la Cruz, and Algodonal. Only in the Venezuelan section it is navigable. Left tributaries of the Catatumbo River include: Right tributaries include: The Peralonso River originates in a small lake in the Guerrero highlands, at 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) altitude. It crosses

1104-655: Is engaged in projects around the world to support sustainable cocoa production and provide current information on the world cocoa market. Cocoa is one of seven commodities included in the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free products (EUDR), which aims to guarantee that the products European Union (EU) citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide. There are numerous voluntary certifications including Fairtrade and UTZ (now part of Rainforest Alliance ) for cocoa which aim to differentiate between conventional cocoa production and that which

1173-505: Is interrupted, the resulting cocoa may be ruined; if underdone, the cocoa seed maintains a flavor similar to raw potatoes and becomes susceptible to mildew . Some cocoa-producing countries distill alcoholic spirits using the liquefied pulp. A typical pod contains 30 to 40 beans and about 400 dried beans are required to make 1 pound (450 g) of chocolate. Cocoa pods weigh an average of 400 g (14 oz) and each one yields 35 to 40 g (1.2 to 1.4 oz) dried beans; this yield

1242-419: Is more sustainable in terms of social, economic and environmental concerns. As of 2016, at least 29% of global cocoa production was compliant with voluntary sustainability standards. However, among the different certifications there are significant differences in their goals and approaches, and a lack of data to show and compare the results on the farm level. While certifications can lead to increased farm income,

1311-412: Is sprinkled over the beans to obtain a finer color, polish, and protection against molds during shipment to factories in other countries. Drying in the sun is preferable to drying by artificial means, as no extraneous flavors such as smoke or oil are introduced which might otherwise taint the flavor. The beans should be dry for shipment, which is usually by sea. Traditionally exported in jute bags, over

1380-810: Is the widest of the three branches of the Colombian Andes . The range extends from south to north, dividing from the Colombian Massif in Huila Department to Norte de Santander Department where it splits into the Serranía del Perijá and the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuelan Andes . The highest peak is Ritacuba Blanco at 5,410 m (17,750 ft) in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy . The western part of

1449-435: Is the world's smallest soft commodity market. The futures price of cocoa butter and cocoa powder is determined by multiplying the bean price by a ratio. The combined butter and powder ratio has tended to be around 3.5. If the combined ratio falls below 3.2 or so, production ceases to be economically viable and some factories cease extraction of butter and powder and trade exclusively in cocoa liquor . Cocoa futures traded on

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1518-596: The Amazon rainforest . They are the basis of chocolate and Mesoamerican foods including tejate , an indigenous Mexican drink. The cacao tree was first domesticated at least 5,300 years ago by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture in South America, before it was introduced in Mesoamerica. Cacao was consumed by pre-Hispanic cultures in spiritual ceremonies and its beans were a common currency in Mesoamerica. The cacao tree grows in

1587-567: The Peralonso Rivers , which flow from the left, and the Pamplonita River with its own tributaries the Táchira and La Grita Rivers , flowing from the right. Areas surrounding the Zulia River are fertile, with many forests decorating the landscape. However, the climate of this area could be seen as unhealthy, due to the density of trees and the many swamps. The Salazar River originates near

1656-585: The Tamá Páramo , has a total surface area of 22,367 square kilometres (8,636 sq mi). The Catatumbo River is a fast flowing river, originating as the confluence of the Peralonso, Sardinata and Zulia Rivers in the central valley of Norte de Santander. The upper part of the river is sourced from the highlands near the Macho Rucio Peak ("gray mule peak"), located in the south of Ocaña province. Its mouth

1725-417: The rind is discarded. The pulp and seeds are then piled in heaps, placed in bins, or laid out on grates for several days. During this time, the seeds and pulp undergo "sweating", where the thick pulp liquefies as it ferments. The fermented pulp trickles away, leaving cocoa seeds behind to be collected. Sweating is important for the quality of the beans, which originally have a strong, bitter taste. If sweating

1794-573: The 18th to 19th centuries as the main channel for the transportation of cacao . It originates in the Altogrande Mountains at 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level, near the city of Pamplona . It flows downhill through the Cariongo Valley, and near Chinácota the confluence with the minor affluent Honda River is situated. The Pamplonita River flows through the Cúcuta valley, where it has

1863-575: The 19th century; during the 18th century they were called chocolate nuts , cocoa nuts or just cocoa . The cacao tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. It was first domesticated at least 5,300 years ago, in equatorial South America from the Santa Ana-La Florida (SALF) site in what is present-day southeast Ecuador ( Zamora-Chinchipe Province ) by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture, before being introduced in Mesoamerica. More than 4,000 years ago, it

1932-606: The Congo, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Sierra Leone, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In 2018, the Beyond Chocolate partnership was created between multiple stakeholders in the global cocoa industry to decrease deforestation and provide a living income for cocoa farmers. The many international companies are currently participating in this agreement and

2001-620: The Cordillera Oriental belongs to the Magdalena River basin, while the eastern part includes the river basins of the Amazon River , Orinoco River , and Catatumbo River . Within it, the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy (with the only snowy peaks in this mountain range) stand out. The mountain range contains the most páramos in the world. The Cordillera Oriental montane forests ecoregion covers

2070-668: The Criollo beans, these new beans were named Forastero, which can be translated as strange or foreign . They are generally of the Amelonado type and are associated with West Africa. Any hybrid between Criollo and Forastero. The Nacional is a rare variety of cocoa bean found in areas of South America such as Ecuador and Peru. Some experts in the 21st century had formerly considered the Nacional bean to be extinct after an abrupt end in 1916, when an outbreak of witch's broom disease devastated

2139-598: The ICE Futures US Softs exchange, are valued at 10 Tonnes per contract with a tick size of 1 and tick value of US$ 10. Multiple international and national initiatives collaborate to support sustainable cocoa production. These include the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO), the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO), and Beyond Chocolate, Belgium. A memorandum between these three initiatives

Hydrography of Norte de Santander - Misplaced Pages Continue

2208-517: The Nacional variety throughout these countries. Pure genotypes of the bean are rare because most Nacional varieties have been interbred with other cocoa bean varieties. A cocoa pod (fruit) is about 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in) long and has a rough, leathery rind about 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.18 in) thick (varying with the origin and variety of pod) filled with sweet, mucilaginous pulp (called baba de cacao in South America) with

2277-564: The Rinconada neighborhood. This part contains the risk of flooding, until in the streets of the city. The river has periodically flooded the local hospital and the Colón Park, named after Cristóbal Colón . The river also produces a significant erosion in the surrounding lands, in part because of the local dry climate and shortage of vegetation. This is seen more noticeably in the areas near Cúcuta; La Garita and Los Vados. The Pamplonita River crosses

2346-529: The Santander Department, in the eastern range of the Andes mountains. The river flows through the province of Cúcuta, passing through the neighbouring nation of Venezuela , and ends in the waters of Lake Maracaibo . In Colombian territory, this river is navigable for about 70 kilometres (43 mi), starting from the old port of Los Canchos. The river flows for 260 kilometres (160 mi) through Venezuela,

2415-745: The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO), the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO), and Belgium's Beyond Chocolate. At least 29% of global cocoa production was compliant with voluntary sustainability standards in 2016. Deforestation due to cocoa production remains a concern, especially in West Africa. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry , can support cocoa production while conserving biodiversity. Cocoa contributes significantly to economies such as Nigeria 's, and demand for cocoa products continues to grow steadily at over 3% annually since 2008. Cocoa contains phytochemicals like flavanols , procyanidins , and other flavonoids , and flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products may have

2484-524: The Venezuelan Andes near the town of La Grita at about 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level. It's a natural boundary between Colombia and Venezuela for about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi), until its mouth in the Zulia River. Its affluents are the Guaramito River, La China, Riecito, Río Lobatera, and Caño de La Miel. The Pamplonita River was of crucial importance in the economy of the country in

2553-405: The application of pyrenoids , as well as hermetic storage in sealed bags or containers with lowered oxygen concentrations. Safe long-term storage facilitates the trading of cocoa products at commodity exchanges. Cocoa beans, cocoa butter and cocoa powder are traded on futures markets. The London market is based on West African cocoa and New York on cocoa predominantly from Southeast Asia. Cocoa

2622-446: The city of Zulia and terminates near the namesake town of Salazar de las Palmas . It's an important river in the tradition of local inhabitants. It is used for swimming, fishing and cooking the traditional sancocho soup on the beaches of the river. There are some areas of the river near Salazar city that have waterfalls of many minor water streams falling into the river, that are often visited by tourists. La Grita River originates in

2691-524: The dried remains of the fruity pulp. This skin is released easily by winnowing after roasting. White seeds are found in some rare varieties, usually mixed with purples, and are considered of higher value. Cacao trees grow in hot, rainy tropical areas within 20° of latitude from the Equator . Cocoa harvest is not restricted to one period per year and a harvest typically occurs over several months. In fact, in many countries, cocoa can be harvested at any time of

2760-545: The eastern slopes of the cordillera and its northern end. The Magdalena Valley montane forests cover the western slopes. The Northern Andean páramo covers the highest elevations. Cocoa bean The cocoa bean , also known simply as cocoa ( / ˈ k oʊ . k oʊ / ) or cacao ( / k ə ˈ k aʊ / ), is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao , the cacao tree, from which cocoa solids (a mixture of nonfat substances) and cocoa butter (the fat) can be extracted. Cacao trees are native to

2829-403: The educational and financial resources provided are more readily available to male farmers versus female farmers. Access to credit is important for cocoa farmers, as it allows them to implement sustainable practices, such as agroforestry, and provide a financial buffer in case disasters like pest or weather patterns decrease crop yield. Cocoa production is likely to be affected in various ways by

Hydrography of Norte de Santander - Misplaced Pages Continue

2898-440: The expected effects of global warming . Specific concerns have been raised concerning its future as a cash crop in West Africa, the current centre of global cocoa production. If temperatures continue to rise, West Africa could simply become unfit to grow the beans. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture warned in a paper published in 2013 that Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, the world's two top cocoa growers, will experience

2967-663: The felling of trees by logging companies. This trend has decreased as many governments and communities are beginning to protect their remaining forested zones. However, deforestation due to cocoa production is still a major concern in parts of West Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, barriers to land ownership have led migrant workers and farmers without financial resources to buy land to illegally expand their cocoa farming in protected forests. Many cocoa farmers in this region continue to prioritize expansion of their cocoa production, which often leads to deforestation. Sustainable agricultural practices such as utilizing cover crops to prepare

3036-533: The flavor of the cacao seed (or bean) became popular, the sweet pulp of the chocolate fruit, used in making a fermented (5.34% alcohol) beverage, first drew attention to the plant in the Americas. The cocoa bean was a common currency throughout Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquest. The bean was utilized in pre-modern Latin America to purchase small items such as tamales and rabbit dinners. A greater quantity of cocoa beans

3105-402: The following voluntary certification programs are also partners in the Beyond Chocolate initiative: Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade , ISEAL, BioForum Vlaanderen. Many major chocolate production companies around the world have started to prioritize buying fair trade cocoa by investing in fair trade cocoa production, improving fair trade cocoa supply chains and setting purchasing goals to increase

3174-410: The goal to eliminate the "worst forms of child labor" from cocoa production by 2005 was not reached. The deadline was extended multiple times and the goal changed to a 70% child labor reduction. Child labour was growing in some West African countries in 2008–09 when it was estimated that 819,921 children worked on cocoa farms in Ivory Coast alone; by 2013–14, the number went up to 1,303,009. During

3243-520: The gods") cacao . Cocoa was an important commodity in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. A Spanish soldier who was on Hernan Cortés ' side during the conquest of the Aztec Empire tells that when Moctezuma II , emperor of the Aztecs , dined, he took no other beverage than chocolate , served in a golden goblet. Flavored with vanilla or other spices , his chocolate was whipped into a froth that dissolved in

3312-457: The last 80 kilometres (50 mi) being deep and calm, adaptable to embarkments of big proportions. In the past, this river provided a basic means of transportation which was responsible for much of prosperity of the neighbouring valleys, like the center of nutritioned commerce, whose products fed many of the towns nearby. The Zulia river's tributaries include the Cucutilla, Arboleda, Salazar and

3381-412: The last decade, beans are increasingly shipped in "mega-bulk" parcels of several thousand tonnes at a time on ships, or standardized to 62.5 kilograms (138 lb) per bag and 200 (12.5 metric tons (12.3 long tons; 13.8 short tons)) or 240 (15 metric tons (15 long tons; 17 short tons)) bags per 20 feet (6.1 m) container. Shipping in bulk significantly reduces handling costs. Shipment in bags, either in

3450-921: The local government, but there are many illegal non-regulated diversions of water. Affluents of Pamplonita River are: Main affluents: Táchira River , Rio Viejo, Las Brujas, Caño Cachicana and Caño Guardo Minor affluents: Monteadentro, Los Negros, Los Cerezos, Zipachá, Tanauca, Ulagá, El Gabro, El Ganso, Santa Helena, Cucalina, La Teja, De Piedra, La Palmita, Matagira, La Chorrera, Iscalá, Honda, Cascarena, Villa Felisa, Ciénaga, Juana Paula, Don Pedra, Faustinera, Europea, Rodea, Aguasucia Minor affluents: Navarro, San Antonio, La Palma, Hojancha, La Laguna, Batagá, Galindo, Santa Lucía, Las Colonias, El Laurel, Chiracoca, Montuosa, El Masato, Quebraditas, Aguanegra, Zorzana, El Ojito, Jaguala, Viajaguala, Tío José, El Magro, Aguadas, La Rinconada, Periquera, Voladora, La Sarrera, La Cuguera, Guaimaraca, Aguaclarera, La Trigrera, Negro, El Oso, and Chipo The Táchira River originates near Tamá, in

3519-608: The mountains of Las Banderas, at an altitude of 3,368 metres (11,050 ft) above sea level. The river flows towards the north, as a natural boundary between Colombia and Venezuela. It crosses the municipalities of Herrán, Ragonvalia, Villa del Rosario and Cúcuta. Tachira River flows into the Pamplonita River near the village El Escobal. Its affluents are El Salado, La Margarita, El Naranjal, Palogordo, El Palito, Agua Sucia and la Horma. Cordillera Oriental (Colombia) The Cordillera Oriental (English: Eastern Ranges )

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3588-572: The mouth. No fewer than 60 portions each day reportedly may have been consumed by Moctezuma II, and 2,000 more by the nobles of his court. Chocolate was introduced to Europe by the Spaniards, and became a popular beverage by the mid-17th century. Venezuela became the largest producer of cocoa beans in the world. Spaniards also introduced the cacao tree into the West Indies and the Philippines. It

3657-455: The municipalities of Salazar, Gramalote, Santiago, San Cayetano and Cúcuta, ending in the Zulia River, near the village of San Cayetano. It forms the upper course of the Catatumbo River. The Sardinata River originates in La Vuelta, in the Guerrero highlands, near the village of Caro at about 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) above sea level. It has a length of almost 17 kilometres (11 mi). Near

3726-410: The municipalities of: Cúcuta , Pamplona , Los Patios , Chinácota , Bochalema and Pamplonita , and the villages of El Diamante, La Donjuana, La Garita, San Faustino and Agua Clara. The river receives sewage water from Pamplona, Los Patios and Cúcuta, and residues from slaughterhouses , pesticides and fertilizers. The 1541 law regulates the use of water from the rivers to concessions regulated by

3795-586: The premium price paid for certified cocoa by consumers is not always reflected proportionally in the income for farmers. In 2012 the ICCO found that farm size mattered significantly when determining the benefits of certifications, and that farms an area less than 1ha were less likely to benefit from such programs, while those with slightly larger farms as well as access to member co-ops and the ability to improve productivity were most likely to benefit from certification. Certification often requires high up-front costs, which are

3864-704: The proportion of fair trade chocolate available in the global market. The Rainforest Alliance lists the following goals as part of their certification program: The UTZ Certified-program (now part of Rainforest Alliance) included counteracting against child labor and exploitation of cocoa workers, requiring a code of conduct in relation to social and environmentally friendly factors, and improvement of farming methods to increase profits and salaries of farmers and distributors. The relative poverty of many cocoa farmers means that environmental consequences such as deforestation are given little significance. For decades, cocoa farmers have encroached on virgin forest, mostly after

3933-477: The responsibility of industry to solve. I think it's the proverbial all-hands-on-deck: government, civil society, the private sector. And there, you really need leadership." As Reported in 2018, a 3-year pilot program , conducted by Nestlé with 26,000 farmers mostly located in Côte d'Ivoire, observed a 51% decrease in the number of children doing hazardous jobs in cocoa farming. In 2021, several companies were named in

4002-629: The river, many forestal and mining activities are present. Its affluents are on the left tributary Santa and the right tributaries Riecito San Miguel, La Sapa, José, La Esmeralda, La Resaca and Pedro José. Its Colombian segment ends in Tres Bocas and continues in Venezuela terminating in the Catatumbo River. The Zulia River is formed by several rivers originating in lakes in the highlands of Cachiri at about 4,220 meters above sea level, and located between 12°41'2" east longitude and 8’9" north latitude in

4071-534: The same period in Ghana, the estimated number of children working on cocoa farms was 957,398 children. The 2010 documentary The Dark Side of Chocolate revealed that children smuggled from Mali to the Ivory Coast were forced to earn income for their parents, while others were sold as slaves for €230. In 2010, the US Department of Labor formed the Child Labor Cocoa Coordinating Group as

4140-475: The soil before planting and intercropping cocoa seedlings with companion plants can support cocoa production and benefit the farm ecosystem. Prior to planting cocoa, leguminous cover crops can improve the soil nutrients and structure, which are important in areas where cocoa is produced due to high heat and rainfall which can diminish soil quality . Plantains are often intercropped with cocoa to provide shade to young seedlings and improve drought resilience of

4209-541: The soil. If the soil lacks essential nutrients, compost or animal manure can improve soil fertility and help with water retention. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by cocoa farmers is limited. When cocoa bean prices are high, farmers may invest in their crops, leading to higher yields which, in turn tends to result in lower market prices and a renewed period of lower investment. While governments and NGOs have made efforts to help cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire sustainably improve crop yields, many of

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4278-794: The tree in these areas since long before the Spanish arrived. As of 2018, evidence suggests that cacao was first domesticated in equatorial South America, before being domesticated in Central America roughly 1,500 years later. Artifacts found at Santa-Ana-La Florida, in Ecuador, indicate that the Mayo-Chinchipe people were cultivating cacao as long as 5,300 years ago. Chemical analysis of residue extracted from pottery excavated at an archaeological site at Puerto Escondido, in Honduras , indicates that cocoa products were first consumed there sometime between 1500 and 1400 BC. Evidence also indicates that, long before

4347-424: The trunk and branches of the cacao tree with a curved knife on a long pole. Care must be used when cutting the stem of the pod to avoid damaging the junction of the stem with the tree, as this is where future flowers and pods will emerge. One person can harvest an estimated 650 pods per day. The harvested pods are opened, typically with a machete , to expose the beans. The pulp and cocoa seeds are removed and

4416-405: The year. Pesticides are often applied to the trees to combat capsid bugs , and fungicides to fight black pod disease . Immature cocoa pods have a variety of colours, but most often are green, red, or purple, and as they mature, their colour tends towards yellow or orange, particularly in the creases. Unlike most fruiting trees, the cacao pod grows directly from the trunk or large branch of

4485-403: Was 5.87 million tonnes , led by Ivory Coast with 38% of the total, while secondary producers were Ghana and Indonesia (table). Cocoa beans are traditionally shipped and stored in burlap sacks , in which the beans are susceptible to pest attacks. Fumigation with methyl bromide was to be phased out globally by 2015. Additional cocoa protection techniques for shipping and storage include

4554-564: Was also introduced into the rest of Asia, South Asia and into West Africa by Europeans. In the Gold Coast , modern Ghana , cacao was introduced by a Ghanaian, Tetteh Quarshie . Cocoa beans are traditionally classified into three main varieties : Forastero, Criollo and Trinitario. Use of these terms has changed across different contexts and times, and recent genetic research has found that the categories of Forastero and Triniario are better understood as geohistorical inventions rather than as having

4623-558: Was consumed by pre-Hispanic cultures along the Yucatán, including the Maya, and as far back as Olmeca civilization in spiritual ceremonies. It also grows in the foothills of the Andes in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America , in Colombia and Venezuela . Wild cacao still grows there. Its range may have been larger in the past; evidence of its wild range may be obscured by cultivation of

4692-601: Was signed in 2020 to measure and address issues including child labor, living income, deforestation and supply chain transparency. Similar partnerships between cocoa producing and consuming countries are being developed, such as the cooperation between the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and the Ghanaian Cocoa Authority , who aim to increase the proportion of sustainable cocoa being imported from Ghana to Switzerland to 80% by 2025. The ICCO

4761-459: Was used to purchase turkey hens and other large items. Cacao trees grow in a limited geographical zone, of about 20° to the north and south of the Equator. Nearly 70% of the world crop today is grown in West Africa. The cacao plant was first given its botanical name by Swedish natural scientist Carl Linnaeus in his original classification of the plant kingdom, where he called it Theobroma ("food of

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