Cocoa, Theobroma cacao, is an evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, grown for its seeds (beans) which are used primarily in the manufacture of chocolate. The cocoa plant is a branching tree with with simple, pointed (lanceolate) leaves which can measure up to 61 cm (24 in) long and 10 cm (4 in) wide. The tree produces clusters of pale yellow flowers each with five petals and sepals. The cocoa pods (drupes) can be green-white, yellow, purplish or red in color each of which contains 2050 seeds, usually arranged in five distinct rows. The cocoa tree can reach 420 m (13-66 ft) in height and can live for up to 40 years although the commercial life of a cocoa tree is usually about 25 years. Cocoa may also be referred to as cacao, koko or Kacao and originates from upper Amazon region of South America.
