In the 18th century the Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus, renamed the cocoa tree giving it the Greek name Theobroma Cacao, now its official botanical name, which literally means ‘food of the Gods’.

The cocoa tree has broad, dark leaves about 25cm long, and pale-coloured flowers from which bean pods grow.

A native of the central and South American rainforests, cocoa trees are now cultivated in many tropical locations around the world. Two methods are generally used to establish cocoa tree plantations.

FNND visited the Ecuadorian Cacao farms to bring you photos of  the life of cacao. From humble seedling to rich, gooey chocolate – in 10 pictures…