376 COCOA 



CHAP 



meaning of it is the same. As explained in Chapter 

 VII. , the coating with earth has no other use than 

 to prevent the moulding of the cocoa, the pulp of 

 which has not wholly been removed by the short 

 fermentation. It is applicable only for the sweet and 

 fine varieties of cocoa, which can only stand short 

 fermentation, during which the pulp is only partially 

 destroyed. The remaining particles of the pulp could, 

 indeed, easily give rise to mouldiness of the cocoa in the 

 sacks, being hygroscopic (attracting water from the air), 

 and a good nutrient medium for fungi. The coating 

 with dry earth makes these remaining parts harmless, 

 and prevents the growth of fungi. 



As it seems, the Venezuelans, however, do not under- 

 stand exactly the use of this common method. They 

 consider it as an old custom, through which the produce 

 acquires a nice appearance ; some consider it also as an 

 easy method to increase the weight. I think, however, 

 that these advantages are of minor importance in 

 comparison with preventing mouldiness. 



For this purpose the coating with earth is in every 

 way suitable ; and I do not agree with authors who con- 

 sider it a method to be abandoned, and replaced by a 

 thorough cleaning of the beans. AVithout doubt also a 

 thorough washing, which removes all the remains of pulp, 

 would render the beans no longer subject to mouldiness ; 

 but we may be sure that in the meantime the fine 

 aroma would be more or less damaged the quality 

 of these fine cocoa species being already damaged by 

 exposing them a little longer to the sun than is necessary. 



The question, what is the cause of the superiority in 

 the quality of the Venezuelan produce is not easily 

 answered. But certainly this superiority is not due 

 alone to the varieties cultivated, as exactly the same 

 varieties are grown in other countries without yielding 

 such a fine cocoa. The Java Criollo and the Old Bed 

 Ceylon are as varieties identical with Venezuela Criollo, 

 and by far not so fine. It may therefore safely be 

 accepted that the local conditions of soil and climate 



