Cacao fruit or cocoa pods

The cacao pod or fruit from the cacao tree has a rough, thick rind. I often describe the size and shape of the fruit as "like a Nerf football" except they are yellow, orange, purple or a combination of these colors. The fruit is filled with a fleshy, sweet pulp called 'baba de cacao' in South America. There are typically about 40 large seeds (beans) that are fairly soft with a harder center and a white, pinkish color. The beans are fermented, dried and roasted and are used to make chocolate! Here is an image of a cacao or cocoa pod from my collection.