Hi everyone! I am greeting you all this special day. It is another bright and wonderful day we had again. I will like to use this special time to talk about cocoa plant, coacoa seeds and how to dry cocoa seeds. Cocoa plant is a small overgreen in the family of malvacease.
Cocoa beans or seeds are used for making many food products all over the world. My country Ghana is one of the countries in the world that produce quality cocoa beans. Ghana cocoa is believed to be rich in nutries than most cocoa in other countries.
Cocoa plant can grow tall from seven feet or more depending on the land on which it grow. Cocoa plant requires high rainfall and temperature to grow well. The plant need trees to offer shade and protect from too much light and damage caused by wind. In my country Ghana, Cocoa grow better in the southern part of the country because of the favourable whether condition over there. There is a lot of rainfall throughout the year and a lot of tall trees in this area to provide shade and also protect the Cocoa plants from wind.
COCOA PLANTS
Cocoa plants grow well in my country but still need fertilizer to grow faster and bear more seeds. Cocoa plants should also devoid of weeds for fresh air and competition of soil nutrients. In Ghana, we uses cutlass to weed around Cocoa trees. Some also uses weedicide to control the weeds in the Cocoa farm.
COCOA PODS
DISEASES THAT ATTACKS COCOA PLANT
Pests and diseases have been a treat to Cocoa production in Africa. Diseases destroys millions of coacoa plants in Africa. High level of yield loss to diseases and pest in Cocoa production in Africa.
Diseases that attacks Cocoa plants in Africa are:
Black Pod ( phytophthora fungus )
Frosty Pod Rot ( fungus)
Swollen Shoot ( virus )
Vascular Streak dieback ( virus )
These diseases attacks Cocoa plants and causes low productivity in Cocoa production Africa.
Cocoa plants takes about four to six years to flower and five to six years for the cocoa pods to ripen from the polinated flowers. Cocoa pods which is green at early stage changes to yellow when ripen. The Cocoa is harvested when the pods changes to yellow.
DRYING COCOA SEEDS IN THE SUN
The Cocoa farmer then breaks the pod with knife to remove the seeds or beans. The beans from the Cocoa is then spread on the mat for drying. Cocoa seeds are dried in the sun till they dry. Cocoa beans are used for making a lot of food products. Cocoa seeds are used for Chocolate and chocolate drinks. Cocoa seeds are believed to have health benefits.
DRIED COCOA SEEDS
THESE ARE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCOA SEEDS.
Cocoa is seeds or products lowers blood pressure
It increases blood flow and brain function.
Improved immune system
Reduces inflammation
Protects the skin
Protects against tooth decay.
Reduces constipation
Improves mood
CONCLUSION
To conclude with, Cocoa seeds have a lot of health benefits so I recommend everyone to start consuming Cocoa products. Thank you all for your wonderful time. Good day.