Cocoa

Cocoa is the product of the small tropical American tree Theobroma cacao, of the family Sterculiaceae: seeds of the tree (cocoa beans) are rich in theobromine and, after fermentation and roasting, are used to make cocoa, chocolate, and their products. The term sometimes refers to highly concentrated cocoa powders made by grinding and removing most of the fats. As an ingredient it delivers intense chocolate flavour and colour to beverages, bakery, and confectionery, with natural and alkalized (Dutch-processed) types offering different colour, flavour, and solubility for different applications.