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Cacao Wow!
Friday, September 16, 2005
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The Oompa-Loompas direct from Loompaland would be so
excited to learn that we know about and love Cacao
beans(pronounced ka-cow), just like they do.
Mrs. Salt may insist that Loompaland doesn't exist, but ah, it
does... According to Willie
Wonka,
'The cacao bean, which grows on the cacao tree, happens to be the
thing from which all chocolate is made. You cannot make chocolate without the cacao
bean. The cacao bean is chocolate." -Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Ch. 16.
You have to believe that Chocolate is something to behold, Willie Wonka
and the Oompa-Loompa's can't be wrong.
Recently, my friend gave me a bag of Raw
Chocolate (Raw Cacao Nibs) to sample. She knows that I'm always on the
look-out for food that tastes good and can benefit my health. When I took one bit out of
the fudge she made from the Cacao nibs, it made a believer out of me! (If you want the
recipe, I'm sure she'll share...let me know!)
I'm not trying to sell these delicious treats only share the interesting
information about them...see for yourself.
The Cacao is the seed of a fruit of an Amazonian tree that was
brought to Central America during or before the time of the Olmecs. Cacao beans were so
revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they used them as money! Now that's putting your money where your
mouth is!
Cacao
beans contain no sugar and between 12% and 50% fat depending on variety and
growth conditions. The company, Nature's First Law, cacao beans are around 40%
fat content (low compared to other nuts). There is no evidence to implicate cacao bean
consumption with obesity. Resource: Naked Chocolate by
Michael Wolfe
- Cacao
seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. This is likely the
primary reason women crave chocolate during the menstrual period. Magnesium balances
brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and is associated with more happiness.
Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral on the Standard
American Diet (SAD); over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in
Magnesium! Another reason to add cacao to
your diet.
- Phenylethylamine
(PEA) is found in chocolate. PEA is an adrenal-related chemical that is also
created within the brain and released when we are in love. This is one of the reasons why love and chocolate
have a deep correlation. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and
alertness.
A
recent study showed that only one out of 500 people who thought they were
allergic to chocolate actually tested positive. Allergies to
chocolate are quite rare. It is typically the case that the person is in fact
allergic to milk and dairy products.
**Cacao
and dark chocolate boost antioxidants; however, the addition of dairy
products/milk cancels out the effects of antioxidants. Studies indicate
that dairy products specifically block the absorption of all the great antioxidants in
chocolate!
What
to do with Cacao Nibs?:
- Try
eating them straight, a tablespoon at a time. Chew thoroughly and experience the
taste extravaganza of raw chocolate. (kind of like a party in your
mouth!)
- Add
to coconut-based or fruit-based smoothies to enhance the flavor.
- Add
agave nectar or honey or another sweetening agent to the raw cacao nibs and chew! (My
personal favorite)
- Freeze
cacao nibs with sweeteners (agave nectar or honey are fantastic). Eat
cold.
- Blend
cacao nibs into herbal teas with the Peruvian superfood maca.
- Add
cacao nibs to raw ice creams for the best chocolate chips in the world.
Create
a raw chocolate bar! Blend the following raw ingredients together:
cacao
nibs, agave nectar, carob powder, maca, coconut oil, angstrom calcium, and cashews.
Pour into a mold and freeze. Eat cold and experience the truth about the food of the
gods! (SOOOO Goood!)
Cacao
is great fun for everyone - especially kids!
Refrigeration
of cacao nibs is not required, although recommended.
Cacao
nibs keep well in cool, dry conditions.
Certified
Organic, Raw Cacao Nibs are exclusively sold in the United States by Nature's First
Law, Inc. (www.rawfood.com).
Resources: The Chocolate Tree and The True History
of Chocolate by Michael Coe, Professor of Anthropology at Yale University.
Naked Chocolate by Michael Wolfe
"The superiority of chocolate for health and nourishment will soon give it the same
preference over tea and coffee in America that it has in Spain."
--Thomas Jefferson
Oompa-Loompa, loompa-tee-dee here's another riddle from
me...Whe-ther you enjoy fine pasteries from Sar-ah or raw cacao nibs from South
Ameri-ca, get the highest qua-li-ty now as the Oompas take a
bow!
Indulge,
Beth Aldrich
Help us grow!! Pass us on to a
friend.
We welcome your story or ideas for
a future FHI Connection!
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