How Chocolate Is Produced

The diagram below illustrates the process by which chocolate is produced from cacao trees. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The process is linear and consists of eight stages. First, cacao pods are harvested by hand from cacao trees on tropical plantations. The pods are then split open and the white beans inside are removed. Next, the beans are left to ferment in wooden boxes for several days, after which they are spread out to dry in the sun. The dried beans are packed into large sacks and transported by ship to processing factories. At the factory, the beans are roasted in ovens at a high temperature, then crushed and ground into a thick liquid known as chocolate liquor. Finally, this liquid is mixed with sugar and milk, poured into moulds, and cooled to form solid bars of chocolate.