03/20/2026
On our adventure in Trinidad, we got an up close, personal look at witches’ broom one of the diseases that can greatly reduce cacao production. Seeing it in the field really puts things into perspective, from the abnormal “broom like” growth on the trees to the deformed pods that never fully develop.
When opened, the difference is even clearer. Healthy pods have beans that are plump, moist, and neatly separated, while infected pods often contain beans that are clumped together, discolored, or breaking down making them unusable. It’s a reminder that great chocolate truly starts with healthy trees and careful farm management.