We have discussed the various products you can get from cacao and today we are going to talk about one of the most popular products and which is cacao butter. Cacao butter is also known as Theobroma oil. It is the vegetable fat that is extracted from cacao beans. Cacao butter is commonly known as cocoa butter, there is no difference between the two. So what benefits does cocoa butter provide to the end user? Let’s find out.
Cocoa butter prevents aging
Cacao butter is loved for its high concentration of antioxidants. Oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid are some of the fatty acids in cocoa butter that provide a layer of protection to the skin by neutralizing free radicals and reducing the occurrence of oxidative stress. They slow the development of wrinkles and keep your skin healthy all the time. Who wants to look old at these times anyway?
Cocoa butter improves cardiovascular health
Recent studies show that daily intake of cocoa has lowered the risk of heart diseases and premature deaths in the world. Cocoa butter has polyphenolic compounds that help lower the chances of hardening of the arteries. It also helps with fat metabolism and in turn, reduced chances of the risk of heart attacks
Cacao butter haircare benefits
Apart from its nice aroma, cocoa butter helps to moisturize your hair and produce healthier, stronger, and thicker hair follicles. It also ensures your scalp is healthy and therefore minimizes dandruff. Cacao butter reduces breakage, and dead and split ends. It has been proved to prevent onset patterns of male baldness.
Cocoa butter is a great skin moisturizer
If you struggle with dry and uneven skin, then you might have just found the solution. Cacao butter has a creamy texture and fatty acids that penetrate deep into your skin ensuring that your skin feels soft and healthy and is always hydrated. It also reduces scar appearances and aging effects on your skin.
Cocoa butter has very many health benefits and when consistently used provides your body with amazing results. Get the best organic cacao from us today.
Cacao beans are unprocessed beans that are peeled and chopped into chunks. They have a bitter chocolate flavor and can be used in place of chocolate chips in most instances. Cacao nibs are packaged with benefits and in this article, I have combined a few best ways how you can use cacao nibs at your home.
Add them to smoothies
Cacao nibs make excellent toppings for smoothies. They are paired with nuts and fruits to garnish and add nutritional benefits to smoothies. Their bitter taste helps to balance the sweetness in the smoothies.
Include them in salads
You have been missing out if you have not been using cacao nibs in your salads. They blend perfectly well, especially with salads that include fruits. For example, a spinach-strawberry salad. Adding cacao nibs makes it better and more nutritious. Try it out!
Make hot brewed cacao
I know by now you clearly understand what the ceremonial cacao drink is. Well, if you have some roasted cacao nibs, you can make a strong caffeine-free drink to satisfy your cravings. Add sweetener (I prefer honey as it’s natural), milk, and flavors until you get your desired cacao brew.
Fold cacao nibs into ice cream
Being a great fan of ice cream, I always know how I want my ice cream. I started adding cacao nibs to my ice cream and I have never gone back. Just add a few sprinkles of cacao nibs to your ice cream bowl and fold your ice cream letting everything blend. Cacao nibs add that chocolate-rich flavor to the ice cream making it tastier.
Use cacao nibs to garnish
Cacao nibs make the perfect garnish for frosted cupcakes and muffins, bread, and other pastries. They come with added nutritional benefits as well as flavor.
If you want to get the true taste of cacao nibs and the most quality cacao nibs, then tropical cacao is the best place to buy yours from. It is very important to always use organic cacao cultivated in the most organic farming methods. We guarantee you quality and full benefits. Contact Us today.
Most people will never differentiate cacao from cocoa. Well, that is okay but as chocolate lovers, I have made it intentional to feed us with knowledge about this great product. Although there is not much about the topic on the discussion today, you will get one or two points to carry home.
Although cacao and cocoa powders are by-products of the seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma), there is a difference in the way they are processed. In the previous articles, I have told you how cocoa powder is formed. The cacao beans are fermented, dried, and roasted under high temperatures. After that, the hulls are removed, and then they are pressed to form the chocolate liquor. they are further pressed to extract cocoa butter and the powder that is left is what is called cocoa powder. Cacao powder undergoes an almost similar procedure but skips the roasting part. The cacao beans are cold pressed to separate the cacao butter from cacao solids. These solids are then ground to form cacao powder. The major difference is therefore on the processing procedures. Cacao powder is pressed under low temperatures while cocoa powder is pressed under high temperatures
The cacao powder is ground and sifted retaining most of the nutrients, enzymes, and minerals. Cocoa powder on the other hand loses most of its nutrients, minerals, and enzymes when pressed under high temperatures. Cacao powder is therefore considered “raw” and better for consumption.
The other difference between these two is the taste. Cacao powder is more bitter than cocoa powder. This again is because of the processing procedures. Cacao powder is however preferred as it is more natural and offers more nutritional benefits.
The chocolate flavor that cacao powder has is deeper than in cocoa powder and this is why most bakers prefer cacao powder. It is rich in flavor and deeper in color.
The cocoa powder loses its power as a superfood when it undergoes processing under high temperatures. Some processing companies also add sweeteners to cocoa powder. Cacao powder is left raw and this allows it to retain all its nutrients and therefore considered a “SUPERFOOD” That doesn’t mean that cocoa powder doesn’t have health benefits, it has. If you visit the grocery store and miss on cacao powder, take cocoa powder. It will work perfectly as a substitute.
However, this is why I prefer cacao powder over cocoa powder;
Cacao powder is full of antioxidants. Cacao has been proven to contain more antioxidants even more than blueberries. Antioxidants prevent diseases and help all the vital organs in the body function better.
Cacao powder is a mood enhancer. You remember those stories about the Aztecs and how they used cacao to make ceremonial drinks right? Raw cacao powder has compounds that help to relieve the body from anxiety and lift your mood.
If you like leveraging raw organic products as I do, then it’s definite that you will go for cacao powder. At tropical cacao, we ensure the consumers get the best quality, most organic, and benefits-packed cacao. Contact us
We have discussed over and again why it is important to consume organic cacao. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of their health by caring about what they consume. It is difficult to differentiate organic and inorganic cacao. The difference comes in with the farming practices adopted. Organic farming protects the ecosystem by promoting the most sustainable farming methods. Organic farming helps the final consumer to get all the benefits of the product as well as a healthy final product.
At tropical cacao, we not only offer you quality but also the most healthy and organic cacao. We will quickly reflect on what makes us the best cacao producers.
OUR PLANTS ARE IRRIGATED ORGANICALLY
We use the solar-powered “Futurepump SF2” to efficiently water all our plants. Sun is a renewable source of energy and when used effectively, gives the best results.
THE SOIL ON WHICH OUR CACAO IS GROWN IS ENHANCED ORGANICALLY
Many farmers have destroyed the soil acidity levels and killed all the important nutrients in soil by using fertilizers. That is something we highly disregard at tropical cacao. We use compost and animal manure to enrich our soils and this in the long run ensures that the consumers get cacao that is free from chemicals and toxins and importantly rich in nutrients.
OUR CACAO IS GROWN UNDER THE RIGHT OPTIMAL TEMPERATURES
It is very important that cacao grows under the right temperatures including sunlight and shade. Cacao that has been subjected to too much sunlight loses some of its nutrients and in-turn insufficiency in quality.
OUR CACAO IS DRIED AND FERMENTED USING NATURAL PRACTICES.
We do not fasten the fermentation process nor do we use electricity to dry our cocoa. We ensure that the end consumers get the true taste of cocoa. Through the right fermentation and drying methods, we sell cacao that is rich in flavor and deep in color.
If you have been reading our blog articles, then you definitely have a clue about cacao being used in ceremonies. It was not only used to bring people together but also to make them feel good when they came together. Cacao was believed to be a mood enhancer. This drink was very important in conducting some rituals too. In this article, I will give the cacao recipe that was used, and still is used, to make the best chocolate drink during ceremonies.
Unlike today, where cacao is first processed into chocolate paste or powder before making the ceremonial drink, cacao nibs were used in the making of this historical drink. Cacao nibs were roughly chopped and then grounded by women using stones. Once they got to that “powder form” they were ready for use. Remember everyone knew about the ceremonies in advance and therefore the cacao was fermented, dried, and roasted organically. This was done to ensure the drink maintained the color and flavors
So, how was the drink made?
Depending on the number of people, water was added into a big cooking pot
A pinch of natural chill was added
The grounded powder from the cacao nibs was added. This was also dependent on the number of visitors and the amount of water added.
The mixture was let to boil as stirring was done
They used wooden sticks to continually stir the drink until that frothy top was achieved
The frothy top was the indicator that the ceremonial drink was ready
Natural honey was added to sweeten the drink. This was optional for some ceremonies, especially those that were attended only by men.
The drink was served while hot
Today, the drink is made but most people add other sweeteners and flavors like vanilla and cinnamon that makes the drink taste even better. To get the best benefits and the ideal taste from the ceremonial drink, only use organic cocoa. You can get organic cocoa, cultivated using the most organic farming methods from tropicalcacao.com
This drink is very healthy as it is full of antioxidants and healthy fats as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Check our article on the health benefits of cacao.
We have been talking about cacao, chocolate, cocoa, pods, etc. and probably the only thing you want to know is how sweet chocolate is made. Your time has come and your needs are about to be satisfied!
The first step is so obvious, Harvesting!
The cacao pods have to be harvested for there to be chocolate. When the cacao ripens, farmers handpick the pods using machetes
After harvesting, the seeds are separated from the pulp and the pods by scraping and the fermentation process begins. The fermentation process is natural. It happens through the natural yeast in the cacao beans. Fermentation is very crucial as it helps to deepen the choco flavor. Normally, it takes between 2 to 8 days. The longer the fermentation process, the richer the flavor. This is probably what differentiates your favorite chocolate from its competitors. After fermentation, the beans are spread and left to dry for more days under direct sunlight. This prevents molding. The beans are thereafter packaged and transported to the manufacturers.
When the beans arrive at the manufacturers, they are thoroughly cleaned to remove any sticky stones and dirt, and then they are roasted. Roasting occurs pretty easily. The beans are stirred constantly to ensure even heating without additional fats or oils. This is essential in bringing out the chocolate flavors and colors.
The beans are then winnowed to remove the hull of the bean and the inner cacao nibs. The nibs are then ground into cocoa powders. During the process, the nibs go through friction that liquefies the powder into a thick paste called chocolate liquor. Cocoa paste/liquor is then poured into molds of different shapes and left to cool. This is the unsweetened or bakers chocolate. Chocolate liquor can alternatively be pressed to separate cocoa butter from cocoa powder.
To make the sweet chocolate sold at the shops, blending is done. The chocolate paste is mixed with extra cocoa butter for that extra mouth feel and smoothness, then sugar, milk, flavors, stabilizers, and emulsifiers are added. The quality of the chocolate depends on the ratios of the ingredients.
Cocoa butter can be used in making other products such as skin, hair, and body oils. Cocoa can also be used in a variety of dishes as savory.
Let’s talk about the ceremonial grade cacao. This is the organic cacao we grow at Tropical Cacao and not the generic cacao powder you get from the grocery store. Ceremonial-grade cacao is 100% pure and rich in nutrients. So, how do you use cacao at home? There are so many ways in which you can use cacao but in this recipe, I will focus on 5 of my favorites. Read on!
BODY AND FACE ANTI-AGING SCRUB
If you are struggling with dead skin you will thank me after this. Cacao is packaged with anti-aging benefits. Using this simple cacao body scrub recipe will leave your skin nourished and feeling young.
Mix 1 tablespoon of cacao powder
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
2 tablespoons of honey.
Smear the mixture on your face and body and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Rub your skin gently for 5 more minutes.
Wash off with warm water and a clean washcloth.
Follow that with your favorite moisturizer. Enjoy the feeling!
SAVORY SEASONING FOR MEAT
I don’t understand why your steak and roasts are so “plain” and you are doing nothing about it! Let me help you anyway.
Add 2 tablespoons of instant finely ground coffee
1 tablespoon of cacao powder.
½ tablespoon of cinnamon.
1 tablespoon of salt
2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Mix well
Rub it on your meat
Grill or cook as desired
HOT CACAO DRINK
Cacao gives that “feel good” vibe, remember? Now imagine taking it every morning! Premium happiness throughout the day! There is a Swahili proverb that says, “Siku njema huonekana asubuhi” it simply means, a good day is seen/appears in the morning. I cannot think of a better way to start your day other than with a frothy cacao drink. Here is my recipe for a good day:
Add a cup of milk (use any type of milk) Almond milk gives the best results though.
½ cup of water
3 tablespoons of cacao
2 tablespoons of honey
Mix
Enjoy your creamy grade drink with your favorite accompaniments.
BAKING
If you like cakes, muffins, and brownies then you need good cacao in your pantry. That rich chocolate flavor takes your pastries from 1 to 10 really quick! There are versatile ways to make chocolate pastries and I will give you the assignment to find out about them.
HOT CHOCOLATE SYRUP
I don’t know if you have been to an ice cream shop and you can’t help but stare at the mouth-watering delicacies! Especially those with chocolate toppings. Well, I was there too until I learned how to make the chocolate syrup I’m about to teach you. It’s easy to make and can be used as a topping for all your desserts.
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon white sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon ground cacao powder
½ tablespoon salt
Mix
½ cup cold water
Whisk until smooth
Heat the chocolate mixture until it boils
Stir occasionally while allowing it to simmer for at least 3 minutes
Remove from heat
Add vanilla and stir
Serve warm and allow it to cool
You can also save some in the fridge for later use!
The thicker you want your chocolate syrup, the longer you will let it boil.
After that entire discovery, thanks to me and my research, you are now probably thinking of buying some cocoa to keep in your pantry and use. WE GOT YOU! What other place is better to buy organic cacao, cultivated using the best environmentally friendly methods other than at www.tropicalcacao.com?
As said earlier, Cacao nibs are formed after a cacao bean has been fermented, dried, and roasted. Then taken out of its husk and broken into little chunks or bits. Just like macadamia nuts, they have crunchy, tender, and chewy mouth-feel. Cacao nibs are raw chocolate chips that are not yet processed and no refined sugar has been added. They have a bitter chocolate flavor.
Today we will focus on the health benefits you will get from consuming cacao nibs.
Cacao nibs are packaged with phytonutrients such as magnesium, flavonoids, sulfur, and phenylethylamine and hence the name SUPERFOOD.
The cocoa nibs’ antioxidant activity is more than that of tea, wine, goji berries, and even blueberries.
Cacao nibs prevent cell damage
By now you have already confirmed that cacao nibs are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important as they absorb the free radicals that cause cell damage.
They fight oxidative stress and stimulate the nervous system.
Eating cacao nibs promotes the release of serotonin, a feel-good, hormone produced by the brain that lifts your mood and treats mental fatigue. Cacao nibs protect the cells from oxidation and this keeps you feeling young.
Do you remember the story of the Aztecs in the “gods of chocolate” article?
“The Aztecs believed that cacao was holy as the cacao pod was symbolically used in human sacrifice rituals (Coe and Coe, 2013). Every year they would choose a well-built slave to be sacrificed in honor of their god (Quetzalcoatl) and for forty days he would be treated as the “god” himself and at the end of the forty days he would give up his life. If he got scared of dying, the Aztecs gave him a chocolate drink which would make him “unconscious” and would return him to his cheerfulness. The Aztecs culturally relied on chocolate to bring joy to everyone that drank it. It was kind of an alcoholic drink, if you drank it you became cheerful and all your worries disappeared”
The phenethylamine compound in cacao nibs triggers the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in the brain. These chemicals boost the mood and stabilize it. This explains why women love chocolate during their menstrual cycles.
Improve the functioning of the heart.
Cacao nibs contain flavonoids. These are anti-inflammatory antioxidants that protect the arteries and the heart. They:
Prevent blood clotting by thinning the blood
Prevent heart diseases
Improve blood circulation
Prevent stroke
Lower the blood pressure
Improve overall kidney, digestion, gut, and bowel functioning
Cacao nibs are high in fiber and this stimulates the bowel and other digestive enzymes. They help keep the glucose levels in the body stable.
Help in weight loss.
Cacao nibs contain nutrients that naturally suppress appetite. This keeps you feeling full all the time and in turn, leads to low-calorie intake in the body. The properties in the cacao nibs also reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and fasten the fat-burning process in the body.
Lastly, according to research, cocoa has been used to treat anemia, tuberculosis, fever, kidney stone symptoms, and low libido.
Do you now see why it is important to get some cacao nibs today?
You have assumingly been wondering why I keep telling you about cacao. I get that. Cocoa has a variety of products plus a heap of health benefits. I don’t want any of my readers to miss that. That’s why in this article, I introduce you to the products you get from our cacao.
CACAO BEANS
When the cacao tree grows, pods start growing from the tree. These pods are called cacao pods. Inside the cacao pods, you find the cacao fruit and seeds. These seeds are what are referred to as cocoa beans. All chocolate comes from these cacao beans. Cacao fruit is fermented, and then dried. It is later used for cocoa solids (nibs), and cacao butter.
CACAO NIBS
When the cacao beans are separated from their husks and broken into small chunks/bits you find the cocoa nibs. Cacao nibs is chocolate in its most natural state. They are bitter-tasting actual pieces of the cacao bean. Cocoa nibs are packed with phytonutrients hence the name “superfoods” There are various ways to use cacao nibs.
CACAO POWDER
Oil is cold-pressed out of the cocoa nibs to form a dense dry mass packaged with nutrients. This mass is thereafter grounded into fine powder which is known as the cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is packaged with fiber, a fair amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals such as manganese, zinc, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium among others.
CACAO BUTTER
Do you wonder where and how chocolate gets the unique “mouth feel” taste? Cacao butter! Cocoa butter is the edible, stable, and pure vegetable fat that is cold-pressed from cacao beans. It melts at room temperature and in some cases just below normal human temperature. It is used to make toiletries, pharmaceuticals, beauty and hair products, and some ointments. It is loved for its flavor and aroma. Cacao butter is also known as Theobroma oil.
CHOCOLATE LIQUOR
Chocolate liquor is formed when the cocoa beans are pressed under pressure and then turned into liquid at over 100 degrees (F). This chocolate paste/cocoa liquor then hardens in a solid or semi-solid mold. chocolate liquor has cocoa butter and solids in equal proportions.
Every cocoa processing factory should use cacao that is organic. We want to produce only Cacao that has been grown using the best environment-friendly farming practices. That way the end-users can experience quality, non-toxic end products. That is why we, at Tropical Cacao, stand in the gap to give you the best quality well-grown Cocoa. Contact us.
I know I’m not the only one who did not know that chocolate had/has gods until today. I have always focused on the mouth-melting taste and the princess-like feeling I get after eating chocolate.
Anyway, I am going to bless your day with this bonus read on the different myths of the “gods’ of chocolate”. Stories build better relationships, right? Listen to these;
According to Linnaeus (1735), the story of chocolate begins withTheobroma (the cacao tree) which is a genus Greek word that means “food for the gods” Chances are, Linnaeus might have been aware of the early Spanish writings that had it that the Mayan and Aztec believed that Cacao was a “gift from the gods”. This is so considering cacao was the Mayan word retained by the Spanish colonizers of Mesoamerica to describe the cacao tree and its products.
Others believe that IxCacao is the Mayan Goddess of Theobroma. Some had it that she was made from cacao, the fruit of the tree, while others believed that she was handmade, ceramic, and an ornamental piece that was used in alters. The latter believe that she was made with big breasts to resemble the shape of the cacao pods. All, however, believe that she was invoked in prayer along with the rain god, the maize god, and other agricultural deities. Tribes in South and Central America also worshiped this goddess.
A third group, still Mayans, according to (Coe and Coe, 2013) believe that the cacao tree is the bearer of life. The Popol Vuh story has it that there were two men, the sons of the bearer of the universe, who were beheaded in the Mayan underworld. One twin who was supposed to become the maize god was hung on a cacao tree and the other twin impregnated a princess who gave birth to another set of twins. The twins fought to resurrect their father(the maize god) and this brought back honor to their land. The planting of the cacao tree, they believe, symbolizes the start of a new life.
The Aztecs believed that cacao was holy as the cacao pod was symbolically used in human sacrifice rituals (Coe and Coe, 2013). Every year they would choose a well-built slave to be sacrificed in honor of their god (Quetzalcoatl) and for forty days he would be treated as the “god” himself and at the end of the forty days he would give up his life. If he got scared of dying, the Aztecs gave him a chocolate drink which would make him “unconscious” and would return him to his cheerfulness. The Aztecs culturally relied on chocolate to bring joy to everyone that drank it. It was kind of an alcoholic drink, if you drank it you became cheerful and all your worries disappeared. Aztecs also used cacao beans in barter trade to buy food and other goods.
The Aztecs are also believed to associate chocolate with their Xochiquetzal god, who is the goddess of flowers, fruits, and fertility. They enjoyed chocolate, corn, and honey drink in her honor and her mother’s honor.
Hayes Lavis, curator of the cultural arts for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian suggests that the Olmec pots and vessels used in ancient times around 1500 B.C were found to have traces of Theobromine. It is believed that they used cacao to make a special ceremonial drink. It is however unsure if they used cacao beans or pulp of the cacao pod in their concoctions. The Olmecs then passed their cacao knowledge to the Central American Mayans who used chocolate drinks in celebrations and to finalize important transactions. Mayans enjoyed their chocolate thick and frothy combined with chili peppers, honey, or water.
The last myth is of the ancient Toltec who believe in Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, as the planter of the cacao trees in Southern Mexico. Quetzalcoatl was also known as the god of light and the giver of the chocolate drink. They believed that one Aztec ruler, Montezuma II, drank chocolate from a gold gallon to give him energy before visiting one of his many wives and stored some of his cacao beans for his military.
All these myths stand out in the joy, cheerfulness, and unity that chocolate brought/brings to the community. Chocolate has always added value.
We are here to preserve and pass on history and the value of chocolate to generations.
Our chocolate is traditional and organic and we keep it that way to ensure that even generations coming after us will have the true taste of chocolate.
Would you like to have a taste of what our ancestors had? Click the “Contact Us” tab on the menu and we will get in touch right away.
