Happy, Happy, Happy + Energy = Chocolate. A dessert. An antidepressant. A favorite indulgence. Eating cacao makes you happy! It contains phenylethylamine which is responsible for our state of mood and pleasure and the same feelings you get when you are in love. It also acts as a stimulant and can improve mental alertness.
∴ A bit of History
Our word chocolate comes from the Spanish version of the Aztec Nahuatl word chocolatl, which in turn derives from a word xococ, meaning bitter. Literally chocolate means bitter water.
It all started in 1500 BC-500 BC in the ancient Olmec civilisation in Mesoamerican and continued on through the time of the Maya and Aztecs before making its trek across to the Old World in the 16th century.
Did you know? Chocolate was much more than just a piece of indulgence. Below are some of the traditional usages of Chocolate in the Aztecs culture:
- The Aztecs associated the cacao bean with the goddess Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility.
- Aztecs also used them as a kind of sacred currency with which the captive peoples of their empire could pay tribute.
- The Aztecs believed that chocolate was a powerful aphrodisiac, able to arouse the sexual passions.
∴ The Cacao Tree
According to HeritageDaily, the tree produces fruits approximately the size and shape of an American football! Actual cacao beans are found inside the fruit of the tree in fleshy, oval-shaped pods. The beans are harvested, fermented, and dried.
Each pod contains an average of 40 seeds (or beans), which are what is used to make cocoa powder, cocoa butter and chocolate.
∴ Difference Between Cacao and Coca
According to Obsev, the cacao bean is the source of both cacao and cocoa powders.
It is to the raw form of chocolate. The cacao bean is what any type of chocolate (cocoa powder) is initially made of.
Cacao contains an abundance of antioxidants, because it’s raw and pure.
It’s also a fantastic source of fiber, magnesium, essential fatty acids, iron, copper, zinc, sulfur, and calcium.
NOTE: Raw cacao is a stimulant so it is advised not to consume it after about 2-3pm as to not interfere with a good night’s sleep!
In short, cocoa is what you and I eat. What comes out of the processed and roasted steps of cacao! Cocoa exists because 100% cacao has a rich, chocolate flavour but is also very bitter (The taste of cacao can actually vary depending on the variety of plant, soil, temperate, sunlight and rain that is received during the growing process).
You have to know that once roasted and processed (turning cacao to cocoa), the beans lose much of their nutritional benefits. In your grocery shop, you can find chocolate in different formats. I share som
∴ How to use it
→ Cacao powder can be added to smoothies, to make chocolate desserts or to make a yummy hot chocolate.
→ Cacao butter can be used in conjunction with cacao powder and natural sweetener to make your own chocolate (see some recipes below). It is also great to add to bliss balls or nut bases to hold them together and can be used in the place of coconut oil. It will add a lovely velvety, chocolate flavour. Cacao butter is edible but it is also used in skin care products.
→ Cacao nibs add a lovely crunch to muffins, ice-cream or as a topping on your favourite dessert. They are also great to add to your favourite granola mix for breakfast or on top of a smoothie.