- A new fermenting box helps cocoa farmers in Kasawo.
- It replaces the old system of stacked wooden boxes.
- The old method made it hard to ferment beans.
- Farmers used to sell unfermented beans cheaply to middlemen.
- The single box makes fermentation faster and better.
- Beans become brown and get a chocolate aroma.
- The new design is easier for people to use.
- Farmers can sell directly and earn more money.
- The box costs less than before.
Difficult words
- ferment — to change food by natural processesfermenting
- cocoa — plant seed used to make chocolate
- middleman — person who buys from farmers and sells to othersmiddlemen
- unfermented — not changed after harvest, still raw
- aroma — a smell you can notice from food
- design — the way something is made or planned
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you like chocolate?
- Would you rather sell directly or to a middleman?
- Is it good if the box costs less?
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