This page is entirely dedicated to chocolate. One of the most loved and most misunderstood foods on this planet. Chocolate is made from the cacao bean from a fruiting Amazonian tree Theobroma Cacoa and has amazing health benefits plus a flavour that can't be compared to anything else. It's popularity has far more to do with its unique properties as a food rather than because it's a dessert. This page is all about why you should eat chocolate, not just because it taste great but the health benefits are amazing and underrated.
I don't have a massive sweet tooth but I do have a love for chocolate.
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| The chocolate tree! Theobroma Cacoa |
HISTORY
The first people known to have ever made chocolate were the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. These people, including the Maya and Aztec, mixed ground cacao seeds with various seasonings to make a warming, bitter drink for scared and royal rituals. It was such a highly treasured plant, it was even considered a form of money. They believed it had many fortifying properties and valued it so much it is depicted in many glyphs and art works by these people.
It was only until the Spanish conquest over the Aztecs that Europe was introduced to chocolate in the 1500's. The Spanish didn't like it's naturally bitter taste and experimented by sweetening it and making it into hot chocolate. Not long after the rest of Europe caught on and began making it into a solid food, mixed with roasted cacao beans combined with dairy and sugar.
Today, chocolate is a sugary confectionery, which makes real chocolate (raw, vegan and made with love) cop a bad reputation for making people overweight, unhealthy and addicted. In truth real chocolate is a health food, a pure source of nutrition with many benefits for the body and soul.
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| Raw cacao beans |
HEALTH
Real chocolate needs to be unheated (less than 40 degrees) and organic, commerically it is roasted and mixed with sugar and dairy products plus other flavours and additives companies put in their products. Roasting cacao beans destroys many of the nutritional benefits. Adding sugar and milk completely destroys any health benefits it originally had. The dark chocolate phase is still going strong, companies are promoting the health benefits of at least 70% high cacao in their chocolate but main stream chocolate companies use roasted cacao.
MAGNESIUM
Important for the heart and blood pressure.
Energy production.
Nervous system.
Muscle function (relaxation).
Women's health- magnesium reduces symptoms of PMS.
ZINC
Important for hormone health and production
Hair, skin and nails
Immune system (reducing colds, flu and hay fever)
Growth and repair of the body
CHROMIUM
Regulates blood sugar levels and metabolism (VERY important for diabetics and obesity)
Raw chocolate contains other minerals such as CALCIUM, COPPER, IRON, POTASSIUM and MANGANESE.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Cacao has more flavonols than green tea, making cacao one of the highest sources of antioxidants out of the all the foods on this planet!
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Cacao is a great mood elevator and anti-depressant because it contains a substantial amount of serotonin, dopamine, anandamide and phenylethylamine (PEA the LOVE chemical). These are four naturally occurring and vital neurotransmitters, which are associated with feelings of well being and help alleviate depression. These are the natural chemicals that are released when we fall in LOVE. PEA and Anandamide (the BLISS chemical) are released when we're happy and stored in the brain. Raw chocolate also contains tryptophan, important for regulating the mood and sleep and stimulating the production of other neurotransmitters.
Raw chocolate is good for the cardoivascular system, keeping the heart healthy and the metabolism. It helps with weight loss and naturally suppresses the appetite. I quite literally "prescribe" raw chocolate for some clients. People that need to boost their mood can naturally do so just by including a raw chocolate bar such as from Loving Earth on most days, the mid afternoon is the perfect time. For women the week before their period is ideal.
Summary of raw chocolates mood boosting properties...
Phenylethylamine (PEA) = The Love Chemical
Anandamide = The Bliss Chemical
Tryptophan = Keeping you Calm and Happy
Dopamine = Keeping you Motivated
Serotonin = Feel GOOD for no reason at all
Having said all this, it's obvious raw natural chocolate is a healthy food, however, as with all things in life. Moderation is the key. Sometimes you'll need more and other times less. Cacao is a stimulant, so it will affect the adrenals, which is why it has an effect on your energy levels. We don't want too much of a good thing, so enjoy just don't overindulge or you'll be up all night! Some people throw chocolate parties and quite literally enjoy the high it can give. Sadly what goes up must come down...
Secrets of melting chocolate and keeping the nutrients left intact is by using low heat.
Basic mixture for a hard setting (good for molds and coating bliss balls, fruit etc)...
1 cup of grated raw cacao butter in metal bowl. You can use a food processor to grind it up into a fine consistency so it'll be quicker to melt.
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1 to 3 tbs agave nectar or maple syrup (as sweetener, add more if you prefer a sweeter taste)
pinch of Himalayan sea salt (to balance the flavours)
Method...
1. Bring a small amount of water to a boil in a saucepan and once boiled take off the heat.
2. With butter in a stainless steel bowl, place on top so the steam will heat the bowl.
3. Add salt and as soon as the mixture is liquid, add cacao powder 1 tablespoon at a time until well combined then add the sweetener.
4. let sit for a while until it slightly thickens for easier setting and coating.
This basic mixture allows you to be more creative, you can mix in ground nuts and seeds, dried fruit and medicinal powders and place into settings. Chill in the fridge until set and it's ready to eat.
Resources
Sacred Chocolate
Loving Earth
Raw Life
For more information on raw chocolate the book Naked Chocolate by David Wolfe and Shazzie is amazing...
