Lesson #2--What is the Anatomy of the Cacao Tree and How is it Cultivated?

After you review the rainforest ecosystem and complete your web you are going to read information about the growing of chocolate and the basic biology of the cacao plant.

Start by reading the article called "Chocolate and its Environment".  You can find this article in two places:  you can ask your teacher for a hardcopy of the article or you can read the article online by clicking the above link called Chocolate Environment.  

After you finish reading the article Chocolate Environment you are going to visit the Field Museum in Chicago. Read the brief introduction to the article "All About Chocolate",    then continue through the section until you have researched the  two sections below.

Introduction: Growing Cacao for Chocolate
For a quick introduction to the chocolate tree, check out this brief summary that gives you the big picture of cacao biology, farming practices, and cacao’s rainforest connections.

The Cacao Tree’s Basic Biology
Find out more about the basic science and structure of this unusual tree. You’ll uncover the hidden secrets of each part of this plant and learn about the different varieties of cacao that go into making chocolate.

from the Field Museum

After you finish your reading you will answer some questions about what you have learned.  You will need to open the Word document from the link at the top of the page called Cacao Questions.  You may print the questions and write in the answers or you can delete the lines in the Word document and type in your answers.  If you chose to type your answers don't forget to print and turn in.  You will need to do the next section to answer questions ##8, #9, #10.

When you have finished answering the questions go on to Lesson #3--Who Grows Chocolate and How Does it Affect Their Lives?