Cacao is an evergreen tree, native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. Major producers are Ghana, South America and the West Indies. Cacao seeds are soaked in water and then dried after fermentation. This gives the seeds a red color and the distinctive aroma - as cacao beans, from which chocolates and hot cocoas are made. Cacao Pigment is obtained from the roasted cacao beans by water extraction. Cacao Pigment is mainly composed of anthocyanins polymerized by heat. It is used for coloring chocolate sweets, confectionery, processed meats and seafood.