Malvaceae

Native: Tropical America

Common Names

English –  Coco

Malayalam –   കൊക്കോ

Description: A small, evergreen tree reaching a height of about 8m in height. Leaves are simple and alternate, they are shiny, leathery, egg-shaped. Inflorescence clustered in the axis of fallen leaves or on the main trunk. Flowers are tiny, yellowish-white to pale pink, about 1 cm long. Fruit a berry that are about 15cm long.  

Distribution:  Cultivated all throughout the world.

Uses: The cacao fruit contains cacao beans, which are the main ingredient in chocolate. Raw cacao is the purest and most natural form of chocolate.