Cacao
Plants that changed the world series
by Dale Pobega
VU22602 / VU22604 : Information Texts :
A Certificate 2 in EAL Reader and Quiz
A Certificate 2 in EAL Reader and Quiz
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The cacao tree of Central and South America gives us one of the world's favourite treats - chocolate.Loading...
The tree produces pods with pulp and seed inside. The pods are split open and the seeds - or beans - are left to ferment in the sun.
Then they are separated from the pulp.
The beans are cleaned, roasted and then ground.
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When the beans are ground, cocoa butter is released. A mixture called chocolate liquor forms. Chocolate bars are made by squeezing out the liquid.
Raw chocolate is bitter in taste.
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The Aztecs of Central America were the first to make a drink from cacao, spices and pepper. Later in the 16th century, the Spanish conquerors changed the recipe. They removed the pepper and spices and added sugar instead.
Over a hundred years later, a Frenchman created blocks of sweet chocolate.
The new sweet was immediately popular around the world.
The new sweet was immediately popular around the world.