Ready to grind

A metal hand crank machine sits on a table on the plantation, ready to grind the roasted and winnowed cacao seeds. In the background, busy hands continue winnowing the seeds. (Learn more)

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After the shells and husks are removed, the cacao nibs are ground into a paste. On this plantation in Barlovento, grinding — also called milling — is done on a metal hand crank rather than an electric machine. The planter will pour the cacao nibs into the funnel at the top and then crank the handle. The crank forces the winnowed seeds between a set of metal gears that reduces the nibs to a paste.

Learn more about South America, Venezuela, cacao, chocolate, and machines.

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