Cocoa beans, in their raw form, possess a very intense bitter taste. Most people won't eat many at once. However, you can eat them raw.
Eating Raw Cocoa Beans:
- The Taste: Expect a significantly bitter flavor. The intense bitterness is the primary reason many people don't consume them raw in large quantities. [Source: Foodtolive.com, Quora]
- Quantity: Only consume a few at a time due to the strong bitterness. [Source: Foodtolive.com]
- Sweetener: Consider pairing raw cocoa beans with honey to mitigate the bitterness. Two beans with honey can provide sustained energy for several hours. [Source: Foodtolive.com]
- The Cacao Fruit: The whole cacao fruit, including the pulp and beans, is edible. The pulp provides a sweeter counterpoint to the bitter beans. [Source: Florida Fruit Geek, YouTube videos]
Beyond Raw Consumption:
While raw consumption is possible, cocoa beans are usually processed before consumption. This processing involves fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding to create the cocoa powder and chocolate we commonly enjoy. The white pulp surrounding the beans is also edible and has a citrusy flavor. [Source: Reddit, YouTube videos]
Important Note on Safety:
The shell of the cocoa bean is not edible and should be discarded. It contains high levels of heavy metals and mycotoxins. [Source: The Chocolate Life]
