Theobroma cacao

Theobroma cacao is the name given to the cacao tree, a tree from the cacao family native to tropical West Africa, Brazil and the Philippines, which can grow up to 5m high.

The cacao seeds used for nutritional, medical and cosmetic purposes are embedded in the cucumber-like cacao fruit which is about 20 cm long. The 40-60 white, bitter cocoa seeds are subjected to a special fermentation process lasting several days, whereby they lose their bitterness and take on their familiar brown-red colour.

40-50% fat (cocoa butter), 15% protein, 8% starch, 1-4% theobromine, 0.1-0.4% caffeine, 7% tannins, 2% sugar, etc.

Cosmetics: Under the INCI designation "Theobroma cacao butter" the butter-like extract from the seeds of Theobroma cacao is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as an emollient and consistency enhancer (also in lipsticks).

Theobroma cacao is the parent plant of Semen cacao, also known as cocoa beans. Cacao oleum (medical name for cocoa butter) is extracted from the roasted and crushed seeds. Cacao oleum was formerly used mainly for suppositories and vaginal balls.