Cacao pod selection walk on Oscar's farm (video & transcript)

Transcript

Today, you’re joining us for the cacao pod selection process on Oscar’s farm. The cacao pods are gathered from all different spots across the land. The path got really muddy as we moved through the farm.

Oscar’s grandfather planted these cacao trees here. Cacao trees need shade, so they grow in the understory of taller trees. When it comes to selection, they’re very strict. If a pod has even one black spot, it’s not used for fine flavor cacao. For example, this one here isn’t selected for fine flavor; it’s totally a commercial grade.

The ants are working hard today as well. Follow us to see how they break the pods off the trees. First, though, we have to cross this tricky river.