Belmont Estate
However, here is my short journal entry on this experience. This is a place that I wanted to visit last year, but time was restricted. This year, I was fortunate to go twice. Cocoa is a fascinating plant and of course produces one of the world's favourite seasoning - chocolate!
After fermentation, the beans are moved to large drying trays where they must be turned to ensure the drying process is even and rotting does not occur. Drying can be done in a large covered area as seen in the following photo:
The tree is amazing. The pods grow from the bark of the tree, not the branch. Pods are ripe when they are yellow. The photo below shows pods that are beginning to ripen. Each pod has about 30 beans.
They pods are picked by hand and cut open, where the beans are pulled and placed into huge storage areas. The beans are covered with banana leaves and are left to ferment.
After fermentation, the beans are moved to large drying trays where they must be turned to ensure the drying process is even and rotting does not occur. Drying can be done in a large covered area as seen in the following photo:
Or drying can be done outside and the cocoa dancers shuffle along the trays to stir and mix the beans. I was able to shuffle through the beans. The feeling was like a warm massage with a heavenly scent of chocolate. Of course, the finale of the tour of the estate included a delicious chocolate tasting and a very yummy lunch. If you are going to Grenada, make time to visit this estate. I had so much fun and it is a unique experience!
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