Chocolate

This passage discusses how chocolate is actually made.

Lexile Level: 870L

Categories: Science & Technology

Money may not grow on trees, but chocolate does. The cacao tree is found in tropical climates and produces fruit the size of footballs. The seeds inside the fruit are commonly called cocoa beans. To make chocolate, cocoa beans are sun-dried and then roasted. The shells are then removed and the meat of the beans is ground. Because cocoa beans have a high amount of fat, when roasted beans are ground, a thick liquid is formed. This liquid is referred to as chocolate liquor. At this point, the chocolate is very bitter. To form inviting chocolate bars, additional ingredients are added to the liquid as it cools and hardens. Common additions include sugar and vanilla. Adding milk, as well, creates the very popular milk chocolate bar.