How to Color Cocoa Pods and Beans in The Cacao Coloring Book

Quick answer

Use earthy browns, greens, and subtle reds to bring Dawn Dean's hand-drawn cocoa pods and beans to life. Follow these steps to capture the true look of cacao anatomy.

Step-by-step coloring guide

1. Choose your base colors for pods: Start with a medium brown or deep green for the outer pod. Cocoa pods range from green to yellow to purple when ripe, but unripe pods are often green. Pick one shade as your base. Avoid using pure black for shadows—layer darker browns or greens instead.
2. Add ridges and texture: Use a slightly darker shade of your base color to trace the natural ridges of the pod. Cocoa pods have deep grooves; following them with short strokes gives a 3D effect. Don't press too hard—light layers let you build depth gradually.
3. Color the beans inside: When you reach a split pod or bean cluster, use creamy white or pale yellow for the pulp, and dark brown or purple for the beans themselves. Cocoa beans are not chocolate brown until fermented and roasted. A common mistake is making beans too dark—keep them lighter with hints of purple for accuracy.
4. Add leaf and stem accents: Use fresh greens for leaves and woody browns for stems. The contrast between bright foliage and earthy pods makes the composition pop. Test greens on scrap paper first—some shades can clash with the pod colors.
5. Finish with background or labels: If your page includes labels or diagrams, use a fine-tip pen or colored pencil to trace them lightly. This helps the educational details stand out without overpowering the art. Let each layer dry or set completely before adding labels to avoid smudging.

About the book

• The Cacao Coloring Book By Dawn Dean: Written and entirely hand-drawn by Dawn on her verandah in Southern Belize, this 22-page coloring book is an immersive tribute to cacao. The hand-drawn style means each pod and bean has unique character, so your coloring choices can make the art feel even more personal and realistic.