Everyone should know the origin of their food. Although eating local is encouraged, in the case of cacao, eating local probably won’t be possible for you. Cacao is grown + or – 20 degrees of the equator and comes from a fruit.
http://www.sweetriot.com/cacaofun/cacao_map.php
Yes it’s true – Dark chocolate really comes from fruit – the cacao fruit grown on the cacao tree.
Long long ago, far far away, deep in the jungles of Central America and all within 10 degrees either side of the equator, cacao was being used by the Mayans, Olmecs, and Aztecs as a ritualistic and indulgent beverage. This South American concoction was seen as possessing aphrodisiac and revitalizing powers. A cold, foamy mixture of cacao paste and water was coveted and revered while the actual beans were so precious they were used as money. Did you know that in ancient times one large tomato was equivalent to a single cacao bean? For more cacao currency fun facts check out the link below.
http://www.sweetriot.com/cacaofun/cacao_exchange.php
Moral of the story – eat the most amazing fruit on earth – chocolate!
