Facts & figures

Generally, it takes 5 years before trees begin bearing fruit in the form of pods. Each pod contains an average of 20 to 40 cream-colored cocoa beans. Nearly 400 beans are required to make 1 pound (0,45 kg) of the semi-liquid mass produced by grinding the beans, the basis of all chocolate and cocoa products.

Chocolate represents about 50% of the production of coffee.

Today the world production of cocoa beans is about 3 million tons, against approximately 10 000 tons in 1830.

80% of the production of chocolate is in Europe and North America. 80% of the cultivation of cocoa is concentrated in 9 countries: Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Cameron, Ecuador, Malaysia and Ivory Coast.

The Swiss consume more chocolate per capita than any other nation on earth. That is 22 pounds (10 kg) each compared to 11 pounds (5 kg) per person in the United States.

Chocolate starts to melt at 34°C which is body temperature, that's why it melts in your mouth.