Dominica was once a major producer of cocoa beans. Theobroma cacao, also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, is a small (4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall) evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae. Native to the deep tropical regions of Central and South America, the seeds when processed can be used to make a wide range of products among them being chocolates, cocoa powders and a host of cosmetic products.
Many of the islands of the Caribbean were colonised by European nations in the 17th & 18th century. Using enslaved African labour, they introduced a plantation economy to the region, mainly based on sugar, but also rum, cotton, coffee and cocoa.
During the 1960’s cocoa was one of the islands major exports with approximately 400 acres of documented fields throughout the island. However, the majority of these fields were later abandoned. As cocoa is once again taking centre stage on the world market, Dominica is working to revitalize their cocoa industry.
Details
- Designer: S Scott
- Printer: Harrison & Sons Ltd.
- Process: Photogravure
- Paper:
- Watermark: St Edwards Crown C.A. Block (Upright)
- Perf: 14.5 x 14 (comb)
- Gum: Arabic
- Cylinders: 1A 1A 1A
- Sheet: R5 x 10 (horiz)
- Quantity:
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