Cocoa beans are the seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) and the primary raw material used to make chocolate. These beans are harvested from cacao pods, fermented, dried, and then processed to create cocoa-based products. Cocoa beans have a rich, slightly bitter taste and are packed with natural compounds like theobromine, which gives chocolate its stimulating effects. They are used in various forms, including cocoa powder and cocoa butter, and serve as a key ingredient in a wide range of chocolate products, desserts, and beverages.