The credit of having first brought the cacao tree from the New World to the African tropics undoubtedly goes to the Portuguese. They are reputed to have planted cacao on the island of San Thome" (off French Gabon) as far back as 1822. Cocoa is the essential ingredient for our chocolate. It originates from the seeds (cocoa beans) of the cocoa fruits (cocoa pods), which grow on cocoa trees. The production of cocoa begins in the tropical regions around the Equator, where the hot and humid climate is well suited for growing cocoa trees.Spaniards also introduced the cacao tree into the West Indies and the Philippines. It was also introduced into the rest of Asia, South Asia and into West Africa by Europeans. In the Gold Coast, modern Ghana, cacao was introduced by a Ghanaian, Tetteh Quarshie.
When did cocoa arrive in Africa?
The first successful introduction of cocoa is attributed to a Ghanaian, Tetteh Quarshie, bringing pods back from Fernando P in 1876.
Who brought the cocoa seeds to Europe and Africa?
Chocolate was introduced to Europe by the Spaniards, and became a popular beverage by the mid-17th century. Spaniards also introduced the cacao tree into the West Indies and the Philippines. It was also introduced into the rest of Asia, South Asia and into West Africa by Europeans.
Who brought cocoa to?
The victory of cocoa in Africa started with Tetteh Quarshie. Legend has it that he secretly brought the cocoa to Ghana and, by doing so, laid the foundation for one of the most important Ghanaian and African export products.
Who introduced cocoa in Ghana?
Tetteh Quarshie (1842 – 25 December 1892) was a pre-independence Ghanaian agriculturalist and the person directly responsible for the introduction of cocoa crops to Ghana, which today constitute one of the major export crops of the Ghanaian economy.
Who is credited with bringing cocoa to Ghana?
Tetteh Quarshie is credited with bringing cocoa to Ghana When Ghanaian agriculturalist, Tetteh Quarshie brought a cocoa bean to Ghana (then Gold Coast), planted and cultivated it, he probably did not know that the crop will eventually become an important part of the country’s export today.
Where does cocoa come from?
Nearly 70% of the world crop today is grown in West Africa. The cacao plant was first given its botanical name by Swedish natural scientist Carl Linnaeus in his original classification of the plant kingdom, where he called it Theobroma ("food of the gods") cacao . Cocoa was an important commodity in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
Who introduced the cacao tree to Africa?
Spaniards also introduced the cacao tree into the West Indies and the Philippines. It was also introduced into the rest of Asia and into West Africa by Europeans. In the Gold Coast, modern Ghana, cacao was introduced by a Ghanaian, Tetteh Quarshie.
When was the first cocoa bean grown?
1500 BC-400 BC: The Olmec Indians are believed to be the first to grow cocoa beans as a domestic crop. 250 to 900 CE: The consumption of cocoa beans was restricted to the Mayan society's elite, in the form of an unsweetened cocoa drink made from the ground beans.
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Who brought cocoa to Gold Coast?Who introduced cocoa crops in Ghana?
