The Wonder of Cacao: How Long Does it Take to Grow?
Cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made, has been one of the most beloved crops in human history. It’s no surprise why – who doesn’t love a good bar of chocolate? But have you ever wondered how long it takes for cacao to grow and mature before it can be harvested and turned into chocolate?
A Slow Start
It all starts with planting cacao seeds, which take around seven days to sprout. However, this is just the beginning of a long journey towards becoming a fully-grown cacao tree that can bear fruit. From there, the seedling must be carefully nurtured for three to four years until they reach maturity.
Blossoming Trees
Once cacao reaches maturity in about three or four years after being planted, small flowers called “blossoms” develop on its branches. These delicate white blooms only last for a few weeks but play an essential role in fertilizing future cocoa pods.
Waiting Game
After pollination occurs during flowering season (usually between January and March), it will be another five or six months before ripe pods are ready for harvest. This waiting game is crucial because if farmers rush to pick unripe cocoa beans too soon, they won’t have their signature flavor profiles that come from natural fermentation processes.
Harvest Time
Finally! After nearly five years since planting those precious seeds into the ground, farmers can harvest these beautiful pods filled with deliciously fragrant cocoa beans inside them! They’ll cut down each pod from trees using machetes then extract beans out by hand from each one!
In conclusion- growing Cacoa requires patience as well as hard work dedication & commitment , taking around 5 years before producing full grown trees blooming blossoms followed by waiting periods of several months before its time to harvest!
