Chocolate: That's How They Make It!

Identify at least three different products (goods) produced in the factory.

cocoa powder, cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate

In the chocolate factories, “winnowing machines” are used to crack the shells off the cacao beans. How does this machine increase productivity?

Without this machine, it would take workers a long time to shell the cacao beans by hand.

Explain why a chocolate manufacturer invests in so many different types of machinery.

To increase productivity. Each machine, operated by a skilled worker, enables the worker to produce much more.

Describe the natural resource from which the production of chocolate begins.

A special bean that comes from the cacao tree.

Identify the other natural resources used in the chocolate factory.

banana peels, sun

List and describe the capital resources used in the chocolate factory.

Machine similar to gigantic clothes dryer, sweltering tunnel, conveyor belt – used to roast the beans; winnowing machine – shells the beans; nib-grinding machine – grinds the nibs with stones and steel; rectangular molds – used to store the chocolate liquor; hydraulic press – squeezes cocoa butter out of the chocolate liquor; mixing machine – stirs cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, and sugar; conchers (heavy rollers) or giant eggbeater – blends chocolate into smooth paste; molds on conveyor belts – helps shake the air bubbles out; cold tunnel – hardens the liquid chocolate; packaging machines – wrap the candy bars into paper wrappers.

How long does the production take?

Two days, four days, or sometimes more.

What human resources are needed?

Farmers to grow the beans; workers to pick the beans; factory workers to make, package, and taste the chocolate.

Where will the chocolate products be sold?

stores

Identify the productive resources in the flow chart at the end of the book.

Natural resources: cacao pods – beans; human resources: workers; capital resources: factory, winnowing machines, conching machines, molds.