Does 'cocoa bean' mean 'cacao bean'? What is the difference between 'cacao' and 'cocoa'?
Many people consider cocoa and cacao as same thing, but actually they are different. They both emerge from same tree and are actually same. But, they differ after being processing. For more information about cocoa and cacao and their difference, visit: science4fun.info/cocoa-beans/
http://www.equalexchange.coop/products/chocolate/faqs/what-difference-between-cacao-and-cocoa
Yes, 'cocoa bean' and 'cacao bean' are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing. However, there is a subtle difference between 'cacao' and 'cocoa' in their broader usage.
"Cacao" generally refers to the plant and its products before they are processed, whereas "cocoa" refers to the products derived from cacao after processing. The term "cacao" is commonly used when referring to the raw, unroasted beans, and the fruit of the cacao tree.
When the cacao beans are harvested and processed, they are usually roasted and ground into a paste, which is then further processed to extract the cocoa solids and cocoa butter. These processed products are commonly referred to as "cocoa powder" and "cocoa butter."
So, to summarize, 'cocoa bean' and 'cacao bean' typically mean the same thing, but 'cacao' refers to the raw form of the bean or plant, while 'cocoa' refers to processed products derived from cacao.