Today I planted a cupuassu tree that I got from Yuri. I think Kyle planted the mother tree many years ago. Cupuassu, or Theobroma grandiflorum is a cousin of cacao and is also from Central / South America. I recently found out that it’s pronounced coo-Pwah-sue with an emphasis on the Pwah part. The fruit is full of pulp and seeds similar to cacao and the pulp is used to make ice creams and milkshakes in Brazil. I haven’t had a chance to try one yet, but I heard it tastes like a lemony banana. The seeds or beans can be turned into a chocolate like product but it is still uncommon. Compared to cacao the beans have a much higher fat content. I planted two of these trees about 4 years ago and one of them started flowering but hasn’t held onto a fruit yet. The cupuassu flowers are like a giant version of the cacao flower hence the name grandiflorum.
Finally reached day 250! Looking back, planting something every day for even 30 days was a huge milestone. Now it’s almost like brushing my teeth or taking out the kitchen scraps to the compost. I am running out of easy spots to plant but I’m pretty hopeful about planting something every day for the rest of the year.
Originally posted on 2021-09-07, part of the daily planting journal behind Ha’a Chocolate’s food forest on Hawai’i Island.