Cocoa beans are actually seeds from the seed pod of a tree that
grows in tropical regions. The tree produces a yellowish red fruit
(pod) that contains a white fleshy pulp, which surrounds numerous
seeds. As the fruit matures the pods are cut open to expose the
pulp, allowing it to ferment so the seeds can be easily removed.
The seeds are then dried by the sun or steam and are processed into
chocolate, cocoa butter or cocoa powder.