The Cacao Tree

CHOCOLATE
Theobroma cacao

The cacao tree produces flowers and fruit year-round. The cacao tree is small and comes from the forests of Central and South America. It needs a warm and humid climate, regular rainfall as well as a fertile and well-irrigated soil. It grows in the shade, preferably at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,300 feet, in the tropics 20° above and below the equator. The cacao tree yields its first crop at 3-4 years old. It is an adult plant at 10. It produces from 300 to 1,000 pounds of cocoa per acre for about 50 years.

The cacao tree fruit is a huge berry called cacao pod, usually egg or melon-shaped, 5 to 12 inches long and 3 to 5 inches wide. The cacao pod contains 30 to 40 seeds. It takes 20 to 25 pods to get 2 pounds of cocoa. Once the tree reaches maturity, fruit pods will sprout from its trunk and branches. The golden-red to purple fruit pods turn brown at maturity, at which time they are split open and the insides scooped out. Each pod generally produces 20 to 40 almond-shaped cacao beans.

After the cacao beans are removed from the fruit, they undergo fermentation, a process that reduces their bitterness and helps develop their heady aroma. After they are dried the beans are ready to be cleaned, graded, packed, and shipped for processing into chocolate products.

Once the beans are selected, they are roasted and shelled to obtain the center cacao kernel, or nib. To transform the cacao kernels into the thick, dark-brown paste called chocolate liquor, the nibs are ground between large heated rollers in high-speed mills.

Chocolate liquor is the base from which all chocolate products are made. Pure chocolate liquor, which contains 53 to 55 percent cocoa butter, is unsweetened and too bitter to eat. It is compressed into blocks or squares and is used for cooking and baking."

History of perak

As with the other Malay states in the north, Perak was constantly under threat from regional powers. During the 16th century, the Achinese and the Dutch was the main cause of concern due to Perak's monopoly of tin. In the 18th Century, Perak was then threatened by the Bugis and Siamese. Under the Siamese influence, Sultan Kedah was forced to remove the Sultan of Perak to ensure compliance by the Perak state.

These external factors did not help the state due to the internal turmoil regarding the succession to the throne between Raja Ismail, Raja Abdullah and Raja Yusuf in 1870. There was also a situation with the Chinese faction due to the growth of the tin industry. Perak led the immigration of Chinese into Malaya due to her abundance of tin. With the influx of the Chinese, they brought with them the secret sect and triad. Unrest occurred during the 1870 s between Hai San clan and Ghee Hin clan that forced British intervention in protecting Perak's interest.

Evidently, in 1874, a conference was held on Pangkor Island for the signing of the Pangkor Engagement. Under the agreement, Raja Abdullah was elected as the Sultan of Perak. The British also appointed J.W.W Birch as the first British Resident. Unsatisfied with the British forceful influence in Perak, the Malays plotted to assassinate J.W.W. Birch in 1875. After the death of Birch, Sultan Abdullah, Dato Sagar, Ngah Ibrahim and Dato Maharajalela were accussed for his murder and was sentence to death or exile.

Perak became part of the Federated Malay State in 1896 until the Japanese invasion. With the withdrawal of the Japanese forces in 1945, Perak was put under the British Military Administration.

In October 1945, the British laid out the Malayan Union scheme before the British Parliament. Under the scheme, Pulau Pinang, Melaka and nine other Malay states were to be united under the Malayan Union. Sir Harold MacMicheal was then entrusted in obtaining the agreements from the Malay Rulers.

Malays opposition to the British plans to form the Malayan Union catalyst the movement for Independence. Sparked by national sentiments, Dato Onn Jaafar formed United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) on 11 May 1946. The Malay Federation was founded on 1 February 1948 and on 31 August 1957, Malaya achieved Independence.

BAKERY=)

Top Baking Schools & Pastry Chef Programs

Becoming a professional baker or pastry chef requires an enormous amount of training. Just because you prepare great bread or bake a delicous birthday cake doesn't mean you are ready for working in the restaurant industry.

If you ever dreamed of becoming an executive pastry chef or opening up your own bakery, I highly recommend you do some research and learn everything you can about what it takes to become a professional one.

You can start with my article called Becoming a Pastry Chef and then be sure to check out my interview with Certified Master Baker Leslie Bilderback.

Trained bakers and pastry chefs are in demand these days. Experienced chefs can earn upwards of $60,000 per year but remember you will still have to start at the bottom and work your way up. One way you can insure a better job and quicker route to the top is by getting a good culinary education.

It's critical to choose the right school that fits your needs and provides you the training and education you'll need to be successful. Below is a listing of some of the top baking schools and pastry programs available. When you find a school in the city you are interested in going to, click on the link for more information.

If the school looks interesting and you want more information including how to get an application, click on the Request Free School Info button, fill out a short form and receive more information directly from the school. No obligations or commitments required.