Hawaii is usually know for the coffee that is grown in the islands, however, there is a small farm, about 180 acres, in Wailaua that actually grows and harvests cacao. The fermenting and drying process is done on island and then the beans are sent to the mainland for further processing where it comes back in bars.
Flowers and small pods budding
The cacao farm
Cacao podsOpen one of these when they are ready to be picked(you can tell when they are ready when you give them a shake and the seeds inside rattle)and they have a mild sweet taste when you suck on the pulp. Almost reminds me of sour sap.
The second step, the drying process which normally takes 6-7 days, again depending upon the weather. After a few days, grab a hand full of these and you can already smell the chocolate developing. If you crack open one of these shells you will find the nibs inside full of chocolate aroma. This can already be eaten as is in its pure form. Very intense. Nibs are often chopped up and used in nougatines, tuiles, and cakes.
The fermentation process, the first step in the chocolate making process. This usually takes a week or two depending on the weather.
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