Cocoa Pod Collection

Theobroma cacao, cocoa pod
Plate 49 from Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous (1858) by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn (1829-1928)

Botany: fruits and cocoa pods, with seeds, 1722 (engraving)
BEN5478415 Botany: fruits and cocoa pods, with seeds, 1722 (engraving); (add.info.: Plate from "History of the West Indies" by Jean Baptiste Labat known as Brother Labat (1663-1738)

Coffee, tea and cocoa (engraving)
8663837 Coffee, tea and cocoa (engraving) by French School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coffee, tea and cocoa and their countries of origin)

Photocard, 1930s: St Vincent, BWI (coloured photo)
8671666 Photocard, 1930s: St Vincent, BWI (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Vincent, BWI)

Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa. Publicity by A. Willette, France, c.1894. (poster)
3434480 Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa. Publicity by A. Willette, France, c.1894. (poster); (add.info.: Willette, France, vers 1894. Coll. Part. Food and Beverage. Van Houten Cocoa)

Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America (engraving)
8663835 Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America (engraving) by French School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cultivation and processing of cocoa in America)

Real Photographs, c.1939: Martinique (coloured photo)
8671464 Real Photographs, c.1939: Martinique (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Martinique)

Advertising card for Cadbury's Cocoa (chromolitho)
8677644 Advertising card for Cadbury's Cocoa (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, 1884
3478851 Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, 1884; (add.info.: Making chocolate creams, Fry's cocoa and chocolate factory, Bristol)

Women enjoying cocoa on the river (chromolitho)
8677548 Women enjoying cocoa on the river (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Women enjoying cocoa on the river)

Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer, London (engraving)
8677530 Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trade card for Smart, grocer and tea dealer)

Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin (b/w photo)
8647490 Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cocoa and chocolate with reference to their origin)

Ceylon (b/w photo)
8674207 Ceylon (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ceylon. Sifting the Beans in a Barn)

Cacao, 1783. Creator: Jan Brandes
Cacao, 1783. Theobroma cacao; cocoa fruit, leaf and fruit with broken skin so that the cocoa beans are visible

Chocolate in the XVIIth century, c. 1910 (print)
7293364 Chocolate in the XVIIth century, c.1910 (print) by French School, (20th century); (add.info.: Food and beverage. Introduction of cocoa in France)

Henri Nestle, c. 1875 (b / w photo)
711589 Henri Nestle, c.1875 (b/w photo) by German Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henri Nestle, born Heinrich Nestle (10 August 1814 - 7 July 1890)

cocoa bean, theobroma cacao
West Indies, Windward Islands, Grenada, Cocoa beans drying in the sun at Dougaldston Estate plantation in St John parish

theobroma cacao, cocoa bean, green subject
Theobroma cacao Cocoa bean Green subject

mexico, oaxaca, cocoa beans and pod
Cocoa bean, Theobroma cacao. Cocoa beans and pod. Mexico, Oaxaca

theobroma cacao, cocoa bean
Theobroma cacao Cocoa bean Brown subject

The Eccentric Growth of Cocoa Pods, Dominica, British West Indies, c1930s. Creator: Unknown
The Eccentric Growth of Cocoa Pods, Dominica, B.W.I. c1930s. Dominica was once a major producer of cocoa beans, trees grew abundantly in the tropical climate and cocoa was a huge industry

Cocoa Fresh from the Pods, Dominica, B. W. I. 1893. Creator: Keystone View Company
Cocoa Fresh from the Pods, Dominica, B.W.I. 1893. Cocoa harvest in Dominica, formerly a part of the British West Indies. Stereocard by Keystone View Company

Cocoa in full bearing, Trinidad and Tobago, c1914. Creator: Unknown
Cocoa in full bearing, Trinidad and Tobago, c1914. Indo-Trinidadian man and small boy, the man has a machete for cutting down the cocoa pods

Cacao Tree, 1924. Artist: J.s Fry & Sons
Cacao Tree, 1924. From The British Empire in Pictures, by H. Clive Barnard, M.A. B.Litt. [A. & C. Black, Limited, London, 1924]

Cocoa, 1. - Cacao Tree, Trinidad, 1928. From Players Cigarettes - Products of the World: A Series of 50 [John Player & Sons, London, 1928]

Cocoa, 2. - Opening the Pods, Trinidad, 1928. From Players Cigarettes - Products of the World: A Series of 50 [John Player & Sons, London, 1928]

Opening cocoa pods, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, c1900s. Artist: Strong
Opening cocoa pods, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, c1900s. Published by Davidson & Todd Ltd (Trinidad). (Colorised black and white print)

Drying cocoa, Trinidad, c1900s

Cocoa tree, Jamaica, c1905. Artist: Adolphe Duperly & Son
Cocoa tree, Jamaica, c1905. Cocoa or cacao tree with pods from which chocolate is made. Illustration from Picturesque Jamaica, by Adolphe Duperly & Son, (England, c1905)

Theobroma cacao, cocoa plant
Plate 178 from the John Reeves Collection of Botanical Drawings from Canton, China. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Theobroma cacao, cocoa tree
Watercolour on paper by Evelyn M. Woolward (fl.1880-90s). Held in the Library and Archives

Theobroma cacao
Cocoa plant brought back from Jamaica in 1689 by Hans Sloane. Illustration by Everhardus Kickius. Specimen kept in the Botany Library

Cocoa nucifera L. coco palm
Coconut and coco palm illustrations from Koehlers Medizinal-Pflanzen in naturgetreuen Abbildungen, 1887-1888, held in the Natural History Museums Botany Library

Theobroma cacao, cocoa
Illustration from the Botany Library Plate Collection held at the Natural History Museum, London

Theobroma cacao, cacao tree
A specimen from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane. The seeds of this plant - cocoa, are the source of chocolate

Theobroma cacao, cacao
A photograph of six of decorative ceiling panels from the roof of the Natural History Museums Central Hall showing Theobroma cacao, cacao

Theobroma cacao, cocoa; Syzygium aromaticum, cloves; Myristi
Plate 1 by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn (1829-1928). Entitled A group from Burlgaar. Held at the Natural History Museum, London

Theobroma cacao, chocolate
Collected by Sir Hans Sloane in Jamaica. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

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The cocoa pod, scientifically known as Theobroma cacao, is the fruit of the cocoa tree. This humble pod holds within it a treasure that has delighted taste buds for centuries - chocolate. In the XVIIth century, chocolate was already making waves with its rich and indulgent flavor. A vintage print from c. 1910 captures the essence of this beloved treat. One notable figure in the history of chocolate is Henri Nestle, whose black and white photograph from around 1875 showcases his contribution to the world of confectionery. It all starts with the cocoa bean, which comes from none other than Theobroma cacao itself. These beans are like little green gems nestled inside their protective pods. Traveling to Mexico's Oaxaca region takes you to where these precious cocoa beans and pods thrive abundantly. The vibrant green subjects against a backdrop of Mexican landscapes make for a captivating sight. The eccentric growth patterns displayed by cocoa pods in Dominica, British West Indies during the 1930s remain an enigma even today. An unknown creator captured this intriguing phenomenon on camera, leaving us marveling at nature's wonders. A snapshot from 1893 taken by Keystone View Company shows freshly harvested cocoa straight from Dominican pods in British West Indies (B. W. I). This glimpse into history reminds us how long humans have been enjoying this delectable treat. Trinidad and Tobago also played a significant role in cultivating cocoa trees back in 1914 when they were fully bearing fruits ready for harvest. Though created by an unknown artist, this image represents an era when these islands were synonymous with quality chocolate production. In 1924, J. S Fry & Sons immortalized a Cacao Tree through artistry capturing its beauty forevermore – reminding us that behind every delicious bar lies nature's masterpiece: Theobroma cacao - bearer of joy and delight since time immemorial.