Sotavento Plantanal has 18,000 cacao plants distributed throughout the property.  Planted in 1983, the cacao orchards yield the cacao fruits shown on the right.  The fruit inside the husk contains the seeds that are processed in the area to yield pure chocolate.  Since planting, the chocolate market experienced setbacks, and the cacao has not been groomed annually and has become overgrown.  Sotavento is in the process of restoring a harvestable orchard, but for the time being it is an endless supply of monkey food and draws wildlife onto the property.  Chocolate has been used for centuries by the area Guaymí Indians to make chocolate drinks.  Commercial production of cacao remains a mainstay of the Costa Rican agricultural economy, alongside coffee, sugar, bananas, and flowers.