Answer:
The author intended to create irony by emphasizing how such a simple tree produces such a popular product.
Explanation:
Yes, the above is the likely reason why the author included the cacao tree details in his excerpt. To him, even though people tends to love the chocolate, they don't have an idea why the product is popular and from which tree is the raw material for its production is gotten. <em>To him, putting those details helps his reader to know that, the popular product is actually produced by a simple tree which is unknown but called Cacao.</em>
Well if its a "real word" may depend on dialect, or where your from specifically. There are many words in Texas not really recognized as "real words" like "y'all" or many things like that. Perhaps it is a word somewhere. But I have never heard it. Remember, language is like a liquid, always shifting, and changing.
1. Ask a question about your topic.
2. Write your initial answer.
3. Develop your answer and include reasons.