cacao
1 synonym for cacao, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The dried and fermented seeds of the tropical cacao tree, from which chocolate and cocoa are made.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cocoa beans
How to use cacao
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cacao bean
cacao pod
cacao nibs
raw cacao
cacao butter
cacao percentage
Both kuh-KOW and kuh-KAY-oh are heard in English. 'Cacao' is preferred in agriculture, the speciality chocolate trade and health-food marketing; 'cocoa' is the everyday word in the kitchen.
Etymology
Via Spanish from Nahuatl cacahuatl, the word for the cacao bean in the language of the Aztecs.
Full origin of cacao →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cacao and cocoa?
They come from the same bean. In current usage cacao usually means the bean in its raw or lightly processed state, while cocoa means the roasted, ground and often alkalised powder sold for baking and drinks. The distinction is a marketing convention rather than a botanical one.
What is the difference between cacao and coca?
They are entirely unrelated plants. Cacao produces chocolate; coca is a South American shrub whose leaves contain cocaine. The similar spelling causes constant confusion but there is no connection.
How is cacao pronounced?
Most commonly kuh-KOW, echoing the Spanish. Kuh-KAY-oh is also widely used and accepted, particularly in American English.
