Sweet Ink · A botanical journey
The Story of Chocolate
Before the first bite, before the first idea, there is cacao. Discover the remarkable tree at the beginning of chocolate's story.
Begin at the treeChapter 01
Chocolate begins on a tree.
Meet Theobroma cacao, the tropical tree that gives us cocoa beans. Its flowers and colorful pods reveal a story that begins long before chocolate takes shape.
The flower
Tiny cacao flowers grow directly on the trunk and older branches. Small insects, including midges, help pollinate them.
The harvest
As pods ripen, growers carefully cut them from the tree. Opening each pod reveals the seeds inside.
Inside the pod
The seeds are surrounded by soft, sweet pulp. These seeds become the cocoa beans used to make chocolate.
A natural beginning. A personal finish.
Your photos, messages and artwork, printed on chocolate.