Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Cacao

Theobroma cacao

Typically in season from January to December, peaking around October to April in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · iNaturalist

When Cacao is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak October to April. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Cacao is usually found in Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

Take Cacao into the field

Open Cacao in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Cacao: common questions

When is Cacao in season?

Cacao is generally in season from January to December, with its peak around October to April in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Cacao grow?

Cacao is usually found in Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

Is Cacao safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits