{"title":"Cacao","description":"Grow \"the food of the gods\" in your garden--with a history as rich as its flavor, Cacao beans are the source of cocoa powder, chocolate, and cocoa butter. These plants are worth the effort as they bring the beauty of the rain forests to your yard and provide a delicious treat, sure to impress your fellow gardeners.","products":[{"product_id":"cacao-theobroma-cacao","title":"Cacao, Yellow (Theobroma cacao)","description":"\u003cp class=\"x-scope qowt-word-para-2\" id=\"E151\" is=\"qowt-word-para\" qowt-eid=\"E151\" qowt-entry=\"undefined\" qowt-lvl=\"undefined\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E152\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E152\"\u003eYellow Cacao \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E153\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E153\"\u003eis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E154\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E154\"\u003e a 20\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E155\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E155\"\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E156\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E156\"\u003e30 foot-high,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E157\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E157\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E158\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E158\"\u003eevergreen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E159\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E159\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E160\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E160\"\u003e understory tree in the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E161\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E161\"\u003e countries of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E162\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E162\"\u003e central and northern South America. Thousands of small pink or white flowers bloom \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E163\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E163\"\u003edirectly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E164\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E164\"\u003eon the trunk or older branches of the tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E165\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E165\"\u003e from January to June\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E166\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E166\"\u003e, but only 3% to 10% of them develop into fruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E167\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E167\"\u003es\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E168\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E168\"\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E169\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E169\"\u003eProminently veined, lance-shaped leaves, up to 24 inches long hang from the branches. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E170\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E170\"\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E171\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E171\"\u003ethick-skinned, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E172\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E172\"\u003eyellow pods, or fruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E173\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E173\"\u003es\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E174\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E174\"\u003e, are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E175\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E175\"\u003eup to 12 inches long, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E176\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E176\"\u003eovoid like a football, with longitudinal ridges\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E177\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E177\"\u003e. They have about 60 beans inside surrounded by a white or pinkish gooey pulp. Cacao is a member of the Mallow family (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E179\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E179\"\u003eMalvaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E181\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E181\"\u003e), and its generic name, Theobroma, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E182\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E182\"\u003eappropriately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E183\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E183\"\u003emeans “food of the gods” in Greek. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x-scope qowt-word-para-2\" id=\"E184\" is=\"qowt-word-para\" qowt-eid=\"E184\" qowt-entry=\"undefined\" qowt-lvl=\"undefined\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E185\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E185\"\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E186\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E186\"\u003ewhite \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E187\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E187\"\u003ebeans are the source of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E188\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E188\"\u003echocolate, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E189\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E189\"\u003ecocoa powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate liquor. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Toltecs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E190\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E190\"\u003e of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E191\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E191\"\u003eancient \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E192\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E192\"\u003eMexico, Central\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E193\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E193\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E194\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E194\"\u003e and South America \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E195\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E195\"\u003ecultivated the tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E196\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E196\"\u003e and used the beans for currency\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E197\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E197\"\u003e They \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E198\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E198\"\u003edried and ground the beans and mixed them with water to make a beverage that they spiced and sometimes used ceremonially\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E199\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E199\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E200\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E200\"\u003e Spanish explorers brought the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E201\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E201\"\u003ebeans back to Europe, and from there, the chocolate industry was born.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x-scope qowt-word-para-2\" id=\"E202\" is=\"qowt-word-para\" qowt-eid=\"E202\" qowt-entry=\"undefined\" qowt-lvl=\"undefined\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E203\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E203\"\u003eCacao trees grow best in dappled or partial shade in rich, well-draining soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E204\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E204\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E205\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E205\"\u003eThey will only flower in temperatures above 68 degrees\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E206\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E206\"\u003e and at least two trees are needed since they \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"E207\" is=\"qowt-word-run\" qowt-eid=\"E207\"\u003ecross-pollinate to produce fruits. They should be watered regularly and fertilized with a complete fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks. Cacao is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, with frost protection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sow Exotic","offers":[{"title":"Large Coconut Coir Pot","offer_id":31772977102948,"sku":"CAC-YEL-XL","price":59.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large Nursery Pot","offer_id":31756134776932,"sku":"A2a-CAC-YEL-XL","price":99.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2858\/6430\/products\/YellowCacaoPlantforSaleSowExoticNursrey_1.png?v=1759442700"},{"product_id":"red-cacao-theobroma-cacao","title":"Cacao, Red (Theobroma cacao)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRed cacao, the evergreen fruiting tree native to South and Central America, is the chocolate-lover’s dream plant. A member of the ​​Malvaceae family, it is related to Cotton and Durian, and grows best in rich soil. Its cultivation famously dates back at least 4,000 years ago, when the indigenous people in Mesoamerica harvested it for use in ceremonies, medicine, and cooking. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Theobroma cacao. Cacao crops are cultivated on a global level to produce the world’s cocoa supply.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRed cacao is just one variety of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTheobroma cacao \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewhich produces uniquely crimson fruits. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sowexotic.com\/products\/cacao-theobroma-cacao?_pos=2\u0026amp;_sid=f92dd5574\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYellow Cacao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, its family member, produces a similar fruit with a golden exterior. The taste of the raw cacao pulp brings a fruity, tropical sensation, while the beans - the part used for chocolate - bring a bitter crunch which preferably ferments and gets roasted to extract the flavors which most associate with chocolate. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYour Cacao tree will feel at home in an environment most like it's native tropical rain forests. Long summers and pampered days of tropical-level humidity will get \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTheobroma cacao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to produce fruit prolifically. Embrace the peculiarities of the cacao plant, and prepare to yield success as a powerful shaman, or artisan chocolatier!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sow Exotic","offers":[{"title":"X-Large Burlap Pot","offer_id":41623683006662,"sku":"CAC-XL","price":99.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2858\/6430\/products\/redcacaotreesowexotic_1.png?v=1762458773"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2858\/6430\/collections\/redcacaotreesowexotic_2.png?v=1693585454","url":"https:\/\/sowexotic.com\/collections\/cacao\/cacao.oembed","provider":"Sow Exotic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}