{"id":3578,"date":"2023-03-25T04:52:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-25T03:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/?p=3578"},"modified":"2023-03-25T04:52:13","modified_gmt":"2023-03-25T03:52:13","slug":"are-cocoa-beans-tree-nuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/are-cocoa-beans-tree-nuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Are cocoa beans tree nuts?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cocoa beans come from the cacao tree, which is a member of the genus Theobroma. Theobroma means “food of the gods” in Greek, and it’s easy to see why the ancients felt that way about this divine ingredient. Theobroma cacao is native to the Americas, specifically to Central America and northern South America.<\/p>\n

Yes, cocoa beans are tree nuts.<\/p>\n

Are cocoa beans beans or nuts? <\/h2>\n

Cacao (or cocoa) beans are technically not beans or legumes, but rather the seeds of the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. The pod shaped fruit is botanically classified as baccate-like (berry-like) and each pod produces approximately 35-50 seeds surrounded by a sweet pulp. These seeds are what we know as cacao beans.<\/p>\n

Cocoa beans come from cocoa pods, which are fruit-like and contain seeds. Therefore, cocoa beans are classified as seeds, not nuts.<\/p>\n

Is cacao seed a tree nut <\/h3>\n