Cocoa Bean Collection

Chocolate plant botanical engraving 1857
A History of the Vegetable Kingdom by Wlliiam Rhind 1855

Cacao (cocoa) beans freshly harvested and ready for making into chocolate, Belize, Central America

Botany: fruits and cocoa pods, with seeds, 1722 (engraving)
BEN5478415 Botany: fruits and cocoa pods, with seeds, 1722 (engraving); (add.info.: Plate from "History of the West Indies" by Jean Baptiste Labat known as Brother Labat (1663-1738)

Coffee, tea and cocoa (engraving)
8663837 Coffee, tea and cocoa (engraving) by French School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coffee, tea and cocoa and their countries of origin)

Photocard, 1930s: St Vincent, BWI (coloured photo)
8671666 Photocard, 1930s: St Vincent, BWI (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Vincent, BWI)

Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa. Publicity by A. Willette, France, c.1894. (poster)
3434480 Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa. Publicity by A. Willette, France, c.1894. (poster); (add.info.: Willette, France, vers 1894. Coll. Part. Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa)

Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America (engraving)
8663835 Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America (engraving) by French School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America)

Real Photographs, c.1939: Martinique (coloured photo)
8671464 Real Photographs, c.1939: Martinique (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Martinique)

Advertising card for Cadbury's Cocoa (chromolitho)
8677644 Advertising card for Cadbury's Cocoa (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, 1884
3478851 Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, 1884; (add.info.: Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, Bristol, 1884.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Women enjoying cocoa on the river (chromolitho)
8677548 Women enjoying cocoa on the river (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Women enjoying cocoa on the river)

Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer, London (engraving)
8677530 Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer)

Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin (b/w photo)
8647490 Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin)

Ceylon (b/w photo)
8674207 Ceylon (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ceylon. Sifting the Beans in a Barn)

Cacao, 1783. Creator: Jan Brandes
Cacao, 1783. Theobroma cacao; cocoa fruit, leaf and fruit with broken skin so that the cocoa beans are visible

cocoa bean, theobroma cacao
West Indies, Windward Islands, Grenada, Cocoa beans drying in the sun at Dougaldston Estate plantation in St John parish

Cocoa bean, Cotundo, Napo Province, Amazonia, Ecuador

Cocoa pods are seen at the plantation of Yoffre Echarri in Caruao, Venezuela October 24, 2017. Picture taken October 24, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Opened cocoa pods are seen at the plantation of Yoffre Echarri in Caruao, Venezuela October 24, 2017. Picture taken October 24, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Chocolate in the XVIIth century, c. 1910 (print)
7293364 Chocolate in the XVIIth century, c.1910 (print) by French School, (20th century); (add.info.: Food and beverage. Introduction of cocoa in France)

Common Cocoa

theobroma cacao, cocoa bean, green subject
Theobroma cacao Cocoa bean Green subject

mexico, oaxaca, cocoa beans and pod
Cocoa bean, Theobroma cacao. Cocoa beans and pod. Mexico, Oaxaca

theobroma cacao, cocoa bean
Theobroma cacao Cocoa bean Brown subject

Cocoa Fresh from the Pods, Dominica, B. W. I. 1893. Creator: Keystone View Company
Cocoa Fresh from the Pods, Dominica, B.W.I. 1893. Cocoa harvest in Dominica, formerly a part of the British West Indies. Stereocard by Keystone View Company

Drying Cacao, Trinidad, B. W. I. early 20th century. Creator: Unknown
Drying Cacao, Trinidad, B.W.I. (British West Indies), early 20th century. Cacao, or cocoa, has contributed to the socio-economic development of Trinidad and Tobago for over 200 years

Breaking Cocoa, Trinidad, early 20th century. Creator: Unknown
Breaking Cocoa, Trinidad, early 20th century. Workers processing cocoa beans. Cacao, or cocoa, has contributed to the socio-economic development of Trinidad and Tobago for over 200 years

Gathering Cocoa, Trinidad, B. W. I. early 20th century. Creator: Unknown
Gathering Cocoa, Trinidad, B.W.I. (British West Indies), early 20th century. Workers with a pile of cocoa beans on a plantation during the colonial period

Cocoa in full bearing, Trinidad and Tobago, c1914. Creator: Unknown
Cocoa in full bearing, Trinidad and Tobago, c1914. Indo-Trinidadian man and small boy, the man has a machete for cutting down the cocoa pods

Opening cocoa pods, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, c1900s. Artist: Strong
Opening cocoa pods, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, c1900s. Published by Davidson & Todd Ltd (Trinidad). (Colorised black and white print)

Drying cocoa, Trinidad, c1900s

Cocoa tree, Jamaica, c1905. Artist: Adolphe Duperly & Son
Cocoa tree, Jamaica, c1905. Cocoa or cacao tree with pods from which chocolate is made. Illustration from Picturesque Jamaica, by Adolphe Duperly & Son, (England, c1905)

The chocolate nut tree, 1886. Pod of the Cacao tree, from which cocoa and chocolate are made. Illustration from Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts, Mechanical and Chemical, Manufactures, Mining

Production of cocoa, 16th century. A cocoa bush shaded by a larger type of tree and cocoa beans lying in the sun to dry. In the left foreground a native is making a fire by means of the blister method

Cocoa plant engraving 1895
Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens, 5th edition 17 volumes Bibliographisches Institut - Leipzig 1895-1897

Cocoa beans, La Maison du Cacao, Pointe-Noire, west coast of Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, French Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean

Cocoa bean
Illustration engraving of a Cocoa bean

Cocoa tree
Illustration of a Cocoa tree

Stages of chocolate production. Image shows whole cocoa pod (Theobroma cacao), split cacoa pod showing raw beans, raw beans removed from pod, dried and roasted beans. ECUADOR. South America

Cacao beans, chocolate molds, and cutting tool on kichen worktop

Blocks of white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, crushed cocoa beans and cocoa powder

Various types of chocolate, powder and cocoa beans surrounding a drawing of a cocoa tree

Cocoa beans in seed pods

Bowls containing organically produced cocoa, laid out on a table

Cocoa beans, pieces of dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate powder

Cocoa beans. These beans are obtained from the pod of the cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao), also known as the cacao tree. The leathery yellow pod (not seen)

Cocoa fruit, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa, Africa

Cocoa fruit pod on tree, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa, Africa

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The cocoa bean, also known as theobroma cacao, is a fascinating and essential ingredient in the world of chocolate. Its rich history dates back centuries, as depicted in a botanical engraving from 1857 showcasing the chocolate plant. Freshly harvested cacao beans, ready to be transformed into delectable chocolate, can be found in Belize, Central America. The vibrant colors and aroma emanating from these beans are a testament to their quality and potential for creating indulgent treats. In Cotundo, Napo Province of Amazonia, Ecuador lies another source of cocoa beans. Here, amidst lush greenery and fertile soil, these precious pods thrive under ideal conditions. Opened cocoa pods reveal rows upon rows of seeds waiting to be processed into heavenly confections. Yoffre Echarri's plantation in Caruao showcases an abundance of cocoa pods that will eventually yield delicious chocolates. These carefully cultivated plants bear witness to the dedication required to produce this beloved treat. Traveling back in time to the XVIIth century through a vintage print from around 1910 transports us to an era where chocolate was already cherished by many. This glimpse into history reminds us of how long humans have been captivated by the allure of this delightful bean. Known scientifically as "theobroma cacao, " it is evident that this humble bean holds significant importance across different cultures and regions worldwide. From Mexico's Oaxaca region with its bountiful harvests to various plantations globally – each location contributes its unique touch to the artistry behind crafting exceptional chocolates. Whether it's appreciating its botanical beauty or savoring its decadent flavors when transformed into chocolate bars or truffles – there is no denying that the cocoa bean holds an irreplaceable place within our hearts and taste buds alike.