Cocoa beans, when fresh, appear as seeds encased in a white, sticky pulp known as mucilage.
Appearance of Fresh Cocoa Beans
- Seeds: The actual cocoa beans are the seeds of the cacao tree.
- Mucilage: These seeds are surrounded by a white, sticky substance called mucilage.
- Edible: The fresh beans, with their mucilage, can be eaten as is.
Processing of Cocoa Beans
For storage and later use, cocoa beans undergo processing:
- Fermentation: The fresh beans are fermented.
- Drying: The beans are then dried.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Fresh Beans | Seeds covered in a white, sticky mucilage |
| Processed Beans | Fermented and dried seeds |
