 Cacao? What is that, and how do you pronounce it?
In these tough economic times, we all wish that money grew on trees, I know I do! Oddly enough, one of my favorite remedies for stressful situations, like the economy, does grow on trees-- CHOCOLATE!
What's that you say? Chocolate grows on trees? What nursery can I buy that tree from?
Well, you won't see Hershey marketing a tree that grows little Hershey candy bars on its branches, but if you learn about how chocolate is produced, you will see that it starts with a tree, specifically, the Cacao Tree! Now, this is a strange word to most people, and it is not pronounced cocoa, like cocoa powder you use in baking. You pronounce this cacao (Ka'-cow) with the accent on the first syllable.
The cacao tree grows in the rainforests, produces pods that house the cacao beans that eventually become chocolate. Now, don't be fooled by chocolate found at the checkout counter of the store. True chocolate will have a cacao percentage featured on the front of their labels to tell you the percent of cacao that is in that particular chocolate product. More on this another time....
There are over 50 little Junior Chocolatiers that have graduated from my Chocolate Camp over the last 3 summers who can tell you all about the cacao trees, rainforests, and how chocolate is manufactured! So when you are talking about cacao, and a little face lights up with a big grin, they know just what you are talking about! And if you have little ones who may be interested in coming to Chocolate Camp this summer, be sure to contact me soon about the 5 sessions being offered in Williamsburg June through August.
Have you had your Cacao today?
Mary Griffith is the owner of Virginia's Finest Chocolates here in Williamsburg, Virginia. Although she does not have a retail front, she welcomes corporate, personal and customized orders for her delectable chocolates, gourmet gift baskets and delicious logo cookies. Mary loves to educate people about chocolate, holds special camps for children throughout the year, summer camps and holiday events, and also teaches Adult Chocolate Camps for groups. You can reach her at 757-258-5465 or at
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