The Cacao tree is a small tree in the family Sterculiaceae, which origininates from South America, but is now grown all over the world in tropical regions. The photos in this gallery show a cacao tree plantation in Malaysia's state of Perak. The fruits of the cacao tree, also called cocoa pods, are oval, 15-30cm long and 8-10cm wide. The pod contains 20 to 60 seeds, also called cocoa beans, embedded in a sweet, eatable white pulp. Each seed contains a significant amount of fat (40-50% as cocoa butter).
The image MA22868 ("24 Cocoa fruit flesh and beans") has been added to your selection. Click on 'Lightbox' to view the content of the selection.