What’s the process of harvesting them?
Discussion
Great question!! First you need to wait until the pod starts to change to a magical fire like colour of orange, yellow and red, then you know they are ready to harvest. It takes about six months from flower to maturity. Once they have matured they are snipped off carefully, cut in half and the inside scooped out and collected. The beans are wrapped in a delicious gooey, sweet juicy pulp, a bit like sour sop (guanabana), and then the harvest is taken to fermentation which is a whole long, magical, scientifically precise process before, drying, selecting, toasting, peeling and then finally transformation!! A magical magical process! Proof of Work personified!
Is there anything that the juicy pulp can be used for?
Quite possibly the best drink I have ever had the pleasure of putting in my body! Sometimes referred to as Cacao Champagne it is beyond delicious! However, after 24 hours it will ferment to vinegar and beyond that to alcohol. One of our dear neighbours makes wine from it. I pray for all of humanity to one day get the pleasure of trying Cacao Champagne!!