Cocoa pods are the fruit of the cacao tree, which is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Each pod is oval-shaped and can vary in color from green to yellow to red. Inside the pod, there are seeds surrounded by a sweet, white pulp. These seeds are the source of cocoa beans, which are processed to make chocolate and cocoa powder. The cacao tree produces cocoa pods throughout the year, but the pods are typically harvested when they are ripe. After harvesting, the pods are split open to extract the seeds, which are then fermented, dried, and roasted to develop their rich flavor.