Cupuassu, Cupuacu
Theobroma grandiflorum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

Theobroma grandiflorum, otherwise known as Cupuassu, grows up to 15 m high. It is evergreen with brown bark, elongated or pyramidal crown, and bole that can be up to 30 cm in diameter. It is common is rainforests in South America. The fruits are oblong, brown, and covered with a thick and hard exocarp. The fruit pulp can be eaten raw to made into juice, jams, and desserts. Seeds of this species are used as chocolate substitute. It is rich in oil and a great source of cocoa butter. It can also be used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Medicinally, the plant is used in the treatment of abdominal pains, angina, high blood pressure, chapped skin and burns, and bruises. Plants are usually grown from seeds.

Theobroma grandiflorum is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects, Wind. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Rainforests, usually in areas that do not become inundated. The lower tree storey of evergreen rainforests.

S. America - Amazonian Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

The fruit contains a number of large seeds surrounded by a very aromatic, succulent pulp with a slightly acidic flavour. This pulp can be eaten raw and is said to be delicious. Creamy, with an exotic flavour. Sweetish and agreeably scented. It is also used to make fresh juice, ice cream, jam and tarts. The brown fruit is 12 - 25cm long and 10 - 12cm in diameter, with the pulp occupying about a third of the space within. Seed - used as a substitute for chocolate. The seeds have a high amount of fat and give a good cocoa butter. The seeds of species in this genus are generally a rich source of oil (around 50%), starch (around 15%) and protein (around 15%). They also contain a volatile oil and the stimulating alkaloids caffeine and theobromine.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Chocolate: substitutes for chocolate, that is.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The plant (part not specified, but it is almost certainly the fruit or the seed) is nutritive, stimulant and tonic. The seeds are used in the treatment of abdominal pains. The juiced fruit is drunk to facilitate difficult births. Although no specific reports of medicinal use have been seen for this plant, the seed is a source of cacao powder and butter. These products have the following medicinal uses: Cacao powder and butter, which are obtained from the seed, are nutritive. The butter is also applied externally as an emollient. Cacao powder is taken internally in the treatment of angina and high blood pressure. Cacao butter is an excellent emollient, being applied to the skin to soothe and soften it. It is used traditionally to treat chapped skin and burns, and is also rubbed into bruises. Research has shown that it can help to counter the bacteria responsible for boils and septicaemia.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses An oil, known as cacao butter, which is solid at room temperature, is obtained from the seed. In addition to being used locally as a food and medicine, cacao butter is important in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The wood is of medium texture, straight-grained, moderately heavy and with moderate natural durability. It is very little used, but is suitable for cabinet making and internal cladding of buildings.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

A plant of the hot, moist, lowland tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, tolerating 16 - 40°c. It requires a mean annual rainfall within the range 2,000 - 8,000mm, evenly distributed throughout the year. Requires a position where shade is provided by taller trees. Prefers a relatively rich, circumneutral soil. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5. The plant is not drought tolerant, being unable to withstand even short dry seasons without the protection of dense shade and local humidity. Freshly planted young trees usually grow away moderately well. A seedless variety of this species exists.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a very short viability, requiring high humidity and optimum temperatures to remain viable. There is no dormancy, the seed often germinating whilst still inside the pod. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe, in a semi-shaded position in individual containers. Cover with about 15mm of soil. Germination rates of fresh seed is usually high, with sprouting taking place in 20 - 40 days. Young plants are usually ready for planting out 5 - 6 months later.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Cacao blanco, Cocohuasu, Copoasu, Copoazu, Cupu-Assu, Cupuassu, Pupu, copoasu, copoasú, cupuassú, cupuasu, cupuaçú.

Synonyms

Bubroma grandiflora Willd. ex Spreng. Guazuma grandiflora (Spreng.) G.Don Theobroma macrantha Bernou