The cocoa tree is a very delicate plant needing protection from sun and wind. Protection from these elements is provided by planting banana trees around and in the cocoa fields.
It takes about 5-7 years before a young tree yields its first harvest. Cocoa trees have a height of 10-15 meters and yield 40 to 50 "pods" (15-25cm each) twice a year, between October and March, each pod yield 30 to 50 beans.
Cocoa beans consist of about half fat and half non-fat solids. Only two products ultimately are derived from cocoa beans; chocolate and cocoa powder. The quality and the flavour of chocolate and cocoa powder depend on the blend of various beans, and this is the "Secret of the Chocolatier".
