Harvesting
Cacao pods are carefully removed from the trees and gathered together for splitting of the pods and removal of the beans. The beans are then laid out to ferment and then to dry. The fermentation process can take 3- 9 days. Fermentation requires the involvement of yeast, bacteria and insects! It is this fermentation process that removes bitterness and also converts sugars to acids and releases enzymes that can enhance flavor quality when the beans are later roasted. After drying beans are packaged for shipment.

About the Cocoa Industry
According to MarketResearch.com U.S. Market Chocolate will exceed $ 19 billion in 2014

The following report assesses the current state of the industry of chocolate every day, including chocolate, chocolate gift box, novelty chocolate, and chocolate season

The U.S. market for chocolate products displayed their resilience recession, retail sales rose 3% between 2008 and reach a record $ 17 billion in 2009, according to the "chocolate market in the U.S.: Trends and Opportunities in the quality, gourmet products and chocolate mass "Package of publishing market research data. The growth was attributed to 75% of Americans who bought chocolate products since 2008 and increases in producer prices that did not discourage the budget-conscious households to buy quality chocolate as an affordable luxury .

The global demand for chocolate is expected to increase in coming years, as the market capitalization of chocolate incredible ability to change shape in a series of products of the confectionery, beverage, restaurant, hospitality and personal care. Packaged Facts forecasts the U.S. chocolate market more than $ 19 billion in 2014. The demand for premium chocolate will remain a leading growth trend, especially when the economy recovers. Healthy chocolate trend, with better-for-you "ingredients like lavender and blueberry, is also expected to supply the market as a subset of PREMIUMIZATION product.

"For many Americans the love of chocolate is more about the experience than it’s mere consumption. To meet this demand, ranging from raw chocolate culinary adventures, discovering new layers of flavor and texture by experimenting with flavors and product development to match the mood of consumers, "said Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts. "This may be a mature market, but also a market that is not afraid to innovate, and that means using the influence salty like bacon and cheese or ethnic flavors such as curry and chipotle. This creativity bold chocolate does provide products that meet different consumers tastes at reasonable prices. "

Creativity is especially important in the marketing of consumer segments of the well-reluctant and skeptical high as the millennium, for whom the product preference is a moving target and eating is all about culinary experimentation with few elements edition flavor and turns of international inspiration. Not only must realize the marketing potential of online social networks as vehicles of influence comparable to the channels of the mainstream media, but the chocolate factory must provide this cohort confectionery products, fresh seasonal ingredients and natural flavor combinations out of this world, and as those developed by commercial establishments and restaurant beverages.

"The chocolate market in the U.S.: Trends and Opportunities in the quality, gourmet and Media Products of Chocolate, "written by veteran market analyst Curtis Vreeland chocolate, we examine the factors that affect thousands of retail and consumption of chocolate. The report measures the size and growth factors overall U.S. chocolate market and discusses in detail how the major chocolate manufacturers are structuring their product development and marketing initiatives to stay on top of this market. Also The report describes trends and opportunities that support continued market growth. detailed profiles of consumers in key demographics, including breakouts by gender, race / ethnicity and household composition are also provided.

COCOA TREES PEAK AT 20 YEARS!