A tree, Theobroma cacao, whose seed is used to make chocolate. (noun)
Examples of word cacao
a brief survey of the history of cocoa and chocolate, I shall begin with the growing of the cacao bean, and follow the _cacao_ in its career until it becomes the finished product ready for consumption.
Vinson said chocolate was given the name cacao, meaning "food of the gods."
After dinner a small piece of cheesecake made with real cacao is just perfect.
(Only 5-10% of the world's cacao is good quality Criollo, or higher grade Trinitario, mostly single estate specialists.)
Frequently hand-ground, cacao is combined with almonds, cinnamon and other ingredients to make what is generally acknowledged as the best chocolate in Mexico.
Although high in cacao, it retains an almost milk chocolate richness that imparts a creamy mouthfeel.