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Back The Original Roots, History, and Types of Chocolate by Stephen M. Seabrook The Original Roots of Chocolate. The Cacao tree is very difficult to grow outside its natural setting. It thrives in the equatorial band between 20 degrees north to 20 degrees south of the Equator. The tree also requires a minimum temperature of 60 degrees and requires year round moisture, so if there is a specific dry season it needs additional irrigation and this is why there are very few instances of it bearing fruit outside of this zone. If the growing conditions of the cacao tree are poor, it is more susceptible to the diseases that are its enemy like pod rots and witches brooms. These diseases are fungus-produced external growths and wilts. In addition, rodents such as monkeys, squirrels and rats eat the white pulp surrounding the seeds while avoiding the bitter seeds. With proper conditions the seeds will sprout in just days and bear fruit in the third or fourth year. In most of the cacao plantations today, the plantings are done with cuttings or with seeds that are carefully raised. Cacao seeds only remain viable planting for 3 months. Understanding this, you now know why long trips to transport these seeds are out of the question. The eagerness to introduce these plants to the Old World was due to the use of Cacao beans by the Aztecs, who used these as food and money. About the size of an orange tree, the cacao tree has similar leaves that are a little wider and longer than the orange tree. However, unlike the orange tree they flower from small cushions on the trunk and larger branches like other tropical fruit trees. Only one to three percent of the flowers on plantation trees actually bear fruit, which puzzles most of the growers today. Cacao trees are pollinated by midges (small gnats) and the trees produce very poorly in modern plantations where midges don't grow in abundance. The History of Chocolate. The word chocolate comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs of Mexico and is derived from the wordxocolatl a combination of the words Author's Biography: Stephen M. Seabrook, MBA President, Nice Specialty Gifts, L.L.C. http://www.nicespecialtygifts4u.com Search for antique designer anniversary gifts, engraved crystal personalized gifts, and unique gifts for family and friends in our 3.6 million gift store! Come experience the finest turn-key home business website that generates multiple income streams to YOU, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of what you are doing, at http://www.universalwebserver.com/stesea532
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