Cocoa

Cocoa. . , Cocoa , The seed of this South American tree (Theobroma Cacao) have been used for food since ancient times, the Aztecs of Central America called it food of the gods, believing it was devine origion. This is also reflected in its scientific name Theos gods, bromos-food. In Aztecs community only those of importance were allowed to drink the bitter beverage made from pounded roasted cacao beans, maize and chilli pepper. The seeds were used as a tribute to the Emperor and were employed as currency in the Yucatan until 1850.The spaniards added sugar and vanilla to make bitter brew mare palatable. The seeds are contained in pods growing directly from the trunk. They go through a process of sweetening fermentation and dried and then made into chocolate or cocoa. Today's major cocoa producers include Brazil, Ghana and the Ivory Coast., The Tetteh Quarshie Golden Pod Lawn. , This is the site where the origional Cocoa beans brought into the country from Farnando Po by Mr. Tetteh Quarshie were nursed on experimental basis in 1900.It was from this nursery that cocoa were propagated for planting in Eastern Region and later Ashanti Region and Brong-Ahafo Regions and other Parts of the Country.