68 COCOA AND CHOCOLATE 



DRYING PLATFORMS, TRINIDAD, WITH SLIDING ROOFS, 



In Trinidad the platform always has a sliding roof, 

 which can be pulled over the cacao in the blaze of noon 

 or when a rainstorm comes on. In other places, sliding 

 platforms are used which can be pushed under cover 

 in wet weather. 



The Washing of Cacao. 



'In Java, Ceylon and Madagascar before the cacao 

 is dried, it is first washed to remove all traces of pulp. 

 This removal of pulp enables the beans to be more 

 rapidly dried, and is considered almost a necessity in 

 Ceylon, where sun-drying is difficult. The practice 

 appears at first sight wholly good and sanitary, but 

 although beans so treated have a very clean and bright 

 appearance, looking not unlike almonds, the practice 



