Since 1842, when Cadbury's of England, the first chocolate, millions of people have had a love affair with chocolate. It is estimated that the average American eats 4.5 kilograms per year and the average Swiss eats 9.5!
Of course, the history of chocolate goes back to the ancient Olmec and Aztec cultures, where it was considered a "food of the gods."
I personally was never a big fan of chocolate, at least not until I began to experience pure raw cacao. Ibelieve, is the reason that normal chocolate was literally cooked to death. To make a typical chocolate, cocoa beans are crushed, fermented and then roasted at 150 C (300 F) for 1 to 2 hours. After that they are tempered with boiling water for 20-30 minutes.
When adding processed sugar, dairy products, preservatives, artificial colors, chemical flavors and more to this lifeless chocolate substance it is no wonder that some people develop allergies to chocolate. InterestinglyBut I have seen that most people with chocolate allergies, not a similar reaction with raw cocoa.
Raw cacao has many nutritional benefits and is generally considered one of the most complete foods on the planet.
Since both the effects of raw cacao for myself, I find myself communicating with people. I regularly use a few more beans my smoothies, I cacao in salad dressings and sauces, and sometimes I just snack a few beans with a bit of agave or honey.
But,thanks to the love of my partner Gabrielle of chocolate, I get most of my raw cocoa in the form of great tasting raw chocolate bars.
I am happy to share her recipe here with you.
To this recipe you will need a grinder or a mortar and pestle
Ingredients for simple chocolate:
1 / 2 C whole peeled cacao beans, ground
1 / 8 C coconut oil
1 / 8 C melted cacao butter (use coconut oil if not available)
1 / 4 C raw honey or raw agave syrup
OptionalIngredients:
1 / 4 cup raisins
1 T almonds, finely chopped
1 drop of orange, lemon, clove, lavender or other essential oils
Cinnamon flavor
Celtic Sea Salt to taste
Preparation:
Grind cacao until it is very beautiful. The cocoa will have a consistency like raw almond butter and stay to the sides of the mill. Mix ground cacao with coconut oil or cocoa butter in the mill. Remove and mix with honey and other ingredients. Stir with a fork, too. TheMixture should be poured. If not, add more coconut oil. Pour into Ice Cube trays or other molds and freeze for 45 minutes. Serve immediately upon removal from the freezer.
A few interesting facts about cocoa and chocolate
The word "chocolate" comes from the Aztec word "cacahuatl" or "xocolatl." This means "bitter water".
Raw Cacao was regarded as an aphrodisiac by the Aztecs.
In 1624 Johan Franciscus Rauch an Austrian professor, tried to ban chocolateMonasteries and urged monks not to drink with chocolate, as he put it, "said inflame passions."
Cocoa contains antioxidants that can prevent cancer and contribute to heart disease.
Cacao brings instant comfort and acts as a mild anti-depressant by increasing our serotonin and endorphin levels.
Cocoa contains theobromine, a mild relative of caffeine and is magnesium. This chemical is found in some sedatives. Since coffee contains caffeine, it both picks you and soothesdown.
Cocoa beans were so valuable, in Mexico, that the ancient Maya and Aztecs and Toltecs subsequent cultures use them as a means of currency for raw materials and taxes paid.
The French Leader Napoleon insisted that wine is from the Burgundy vineyard called Chambertin, as well as chocolate in the military campaigns.
During World War II, are included in the order of the U.S. government Milton Hershey to create a chocolate bar, in rations of soldiers. The sweetsbar chosen was the famous Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar
Every Russian and American space voyage has included chocolate.
