Theobroma cacao L.- Cacao

THEOBROMA CACAO L. - CACAO.

Theobroma cacao - Cacao

Common name
Cacao, chocolate tree, cacoa, kakao.
Family
Sterculiaceae (cacao family).

Overview
Cacao, also called "food of the Gods", is a small evergreen tropical tree native to South America; no more than 30 feet tall, with large glossy drooping leaves.
These are red when young, green when mature.
It is an understory tree, growing under the shadow of taller trees in the lowlands of Surinam.
The fruit of the cacao grows directly on the trunk of the tree and main branches. It has very small white flowers and the tree develops fruits after about five years.
The big 8 - 12" seedpod, which is the fruit; is yellow, green or red and contains the seeds surrounded by an aromatic pulp which is formed from the seeds teguments.
The fruit contains 20 - 50 flat light-brown seeds.
The cacao pulp is composed of parenchymatous cells containing cell sap rich in sugars, pentosans, citric acid and salts for application of cacao.

Applications of cacao
Food uses of chocolate made from the oil - rich seed, are well known (cacao and cocao butter).
The sugar in chocolate releases serotonin (a brain chemical).
Cacao contains the alkaloids: theobromine, a phyto-chemical related to caffeine.
It also contains theophylline.
In Colombia a leaf infusion is widely used as a cardiotonic and diuretic.

Medicinal applications
Pilatory, emmenagogue and anti-septic.
Visit also our APPLICATION & DOSAGE -, CHOLESTEROL -, DIABETES - , HYPERTENSION - , TINCTURE (seeds) - and TINCTURE (leaves) pages.

Hardiness
USDA zone 9B - 11.
Propagation
Seeds, cuttings and grafting.
Due to recalcitrant nature of the seeds, they have a short viable life, can not be dried well and can not withstand low temperatures.
Culture
Light shade; keep in frost free areas.
It has no tolerance for drought; loves rich organic, well drained moist soils, high humidity.
Foliage damage occurs at 33° F, serious damage at 28° F.
Recalcitrant seeds are not refundable since they are prone to fungus and often difficult to germinate.

Buy 6 bottles save 10%; buy 12 bottles and save 15%!


Item	Description	Unit	Price	Quantity

Theobroma cacao	Leaves c/s	1 pound	US$ 12.50
Theobroma cacao	Leaves c/s	1 ounce	US$ 1.00
Theobroma cacao	Leaves whole	1 pound	US$ 17.50
Theobroma cacao	Leaves whole	1 ounce	US$ 1.50
Theobroma cacao	recalcitrant seeds	1 packet (12 seeds)	US$ 10.35
Theobroma cacao	recalcitrant seeds	1 packet (50 seeds)	US$ 46.00
Theobroma cacao	recalcitrant seeds	1 packet (100 seeds)	US$ 86.25
Theobroma cacao	recalcitrant seeds	1 packet (1000 seeds)	US$ 799.25
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	1 fl. oz. (29.6 cc)	$ 9.95
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	6 x 1 fl. oz.	$ 53.73
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	12 x 1 fl. oz.	$ 107.46
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	1 fl. oz. (59.1 cc)	$ 18.35
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	6 x 2 fl. oz.	$ 99.09
Theobroma cacao	tincture from seeds	12 x 2 fl. oz.	$ 187.17
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	1 fl. oz. (29.6 cc)	$ 9.95
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	6 x 1 fl. oz.	$ 53.73
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	12 x 1 fl. oz.	$ 107.46
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	2 fl. oz. (59.1 cc)	$ 18.35
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	6 x 2 fl. oz.	$ 99.09
Theobroma cacao	tincture from leaves	12 x 2 fl. oz.	$ 187.17
Theobroma cacao	seedpod	1 seedpod (20/50 seeds)	$ 15.00

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