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Decadent Plants
 Theobroma cacao pod and seeds
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Cacao - Theobroma cacao
Family: Malvaceae
Native Range: c. & s. America
This small evergreen tree thrives in areas with high humidity and high rainfall. As an understory tree, T. cacao can handle shade and likes to be sheltered from the wind.
Flowers and fruit are produced on the stem of the plant, an adaptation known as cauliflory.
The pods mature throughout the year, and are harvested bi-annually. Pods are cut from the tree and allowed to mellow on the ground before the seeds are removed and fermented; beginning the chocolate making process.
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Carob - Ceratonia siliqua
Family: Fabaceae
Native range: Middle East
Ceratonia siliqua is an evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 15m. C. siliqua needs full sun and can tolerate drought and strong winds.
The flowers of C. siliqua are dioecious (male and female flowers are found on separate plants) and therefore both male and female trees are required for fruit production.
The fibrous pulp of the seedpods is eaten both green and dried. The pulp is used for numerous medicinal and culinary purposes, and is most often known for its use as a chocolate substitute.
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Ceratonia siliqua
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Vanilla planifolia |
Vanilla - Vanilla planifolia
Family: Orchidaceae
Native Range: Mexico
Vanilla planifolia is a succulent vine with numerous aerial roots, allowing it to cling to other plants and trees.
A healthy vanilla vine can produce as many as 1000 flowers; however each flower only lasts one day and must be pollinated promptly for the plant to yield pods.
Pods are harvested as soon as the beans are mature. Beans are dried and cured before being used to flavour extract.
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Sugar Cane - Saccharum officinarum
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: Asia
Saccharum officinarum is a subtropical/tropical crop that needs plenty of sun and water to thrive. The roots of S. officinarum require aeration and thus plants do best in sandy soils.
Canes are harvested 12-20 months after planting. Canes are ready for harvest when they become tough and turn a pale yellow colour.
Juice is harvested from the canes which is then evaporated and boiled to create raw sugar. Raw sugar is then further processed and refined into products we are familiar with such as table sugar, molasses and rum.
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Saccharum officinarum |
 Coffea arabica |
Coffee - Coffea arabica
Family: Rubiaceae
Native Range: n.e. tropical Africa
Coffea arabica is an evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum height of 5m. C. arabica thrives in both humid tropics and temperate climates.
Flowers are white and fragrant with fruits maturing 7-9 months after flowering. The beans start out green, turn red and finally black when ripe.
Trees will bear fruit 3-4 years after planting and are full bearing after 6-8 years. Berries are stripped from the trees, dried, roasted and ultimately sold as ground coffee.
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Cinnamon - Cinnamomum verum
Family: Lauraceae
Native Range: Sri Lanka, s.w. India
Cinnamomum verum thrives in tropical climates with moist, rich soil. The canopy of the C. verum tree is very dense, blocking light to vegetation below.
The mature trunk of C. verum is 30-60cm in diameter and produces coppices when pruned. This bushy re-growth is then harvested for cinnamon.
Harvested bark strips are allowed to dry before the outer bark is scraped off, leaving the inner bark to curl and be sold in quills.
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Cinnamomum verum |
Carica papaya |
Papaya - Carica papaya
Family: Caricaceae
Native range: South America
The Carica papaya is a tropical tree that can reach a maximum height of 10m tall. Foliage is maintained only at the top of the tree, much like that of a palm tree.
The flowers of C. papaya are dioecious and thus both male and female trees are required for fruit production.
C. papaya trees will produce fruit in their first year and will bear fruit every month in their second year; however yield declines after the first few years of life. Fruits are cut off the tree with a knife and turn a bright yellow when ripe. Fruits are enjoyed both fresh and canned.
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Banana - Musa acuminata
Family: Musaceae
Native Range: tropical Asia
Musa acuminata is an herbaceous plant that arranges its leaves in sheaths, creating a pseudostem. Plants do best in well drained soils high in organic matter and require lots of moisture to optimize yield.
M. acuminata will flower throughout the year, with large pendulous blooms. Approx 100 days after flowering, fruit is ready for harvest.
Fruit turns from dark green to bright yellow, or sometimes red when ripe. Bunches are harvested green and hung in a dry, cool place to ripen.
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Musa acuminata |
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