Cacao
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Cacao beans are the seeds of the cacao fruit, which grows on a jungle tree in Amazonia and now in other parts of the world also. Bali has recently begun to grow their own. You can buy raw cacao as powder and nibs in most health food stores.
You can also enjoy the "food of the Gods" in the form of cacao butter. It is lovely to eat as is and safe for you to eat its shell, which is lovely dipped in a tiny touch of honey or agave. The nibs can be added to your raw food trail mix to give you a boost in energy and vitality. I could go on forever about the benefits of cacao...for now I will simple show you another way to use it and nourish yourself. |
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"Phenylethylamine (PEA) is found in chocolate (which 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”.
David Wolfe
David Wolfe
Hot Drinking Cacao
It's so cold you want a hot cuppa - something healthy, but herb tea is just not doing it for you - have a hot cacao (can be black or use a healthy milk alternative such as almond milk or coconut milk with honey or coconut syrup).
You can make an instant mix "Spicy Drinking Cacao" pre adding a tiny pinch of chilli powder, dash of cinnamon and nutmeg with your coconut sugar if you can get powdered coconut milk add right proportions into a jar shake well viola - just a heaped tablespoon at a time add hot water- do remember coconut sugar is not very sweet so add more than common table sugar. Froth it in blender for extra zoom!
I have found this calms the nerves, makes me sleep soundly, and also as an added bonus contributes to weight loss. WIN-WIN!
YUMMY Deliciousness
Hot cacao is a great way to consume something nutritious while feeling decadent. But you should buy cacao in its raw form, rather than the highly processed, low-grade hot chocolates that contain nothing but empty kilojoules and little in the way of true cacao.
The Pros
Naturopath Aimee Robbins says raw, powdered cacao is full of flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from ageing and disease caused by free radicals. Raw cacao contains up to four times the antioxidants of traditional cacao powder, and has the highest antioxidant value of all the natural foods in the world. Scientists from Cornell University in the US recently discovered that raw cacao contains nearly twice the antioxidant content of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidant content of green tea; for more on the plus side it is alkalizing for the body.
Nutrients
The cacao bean is also rich in magnesium, an energy mineral and vital electrolyte. This super-food is also a good source of sulphur. Sulphur is associated with strong nails, shiny hair and a healthy liver and pancreas. Medical herbalist Dominique Finney says the flavonoids in cacao prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidising and clogging the arteries. "Cacao has also been found to help regulate blood pressure and reduce cholesterol while building the immune system."
Drinking a cup of hot cacao before meals can diminish your appetite by helping the body tune in to its natural appetite. According to Dr Gabriel Cousens, this is due to cacao's monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). This is why it is often added to weight-loss supplements.
The Cons
You can have too much of a good thing. Cacao is very powerful on the central nervous system and over-indulging can interfere with calcium retention. Don't consume more than 40 grams (or four to six heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao a day.
How to eat it
The best way to make sure you're getting the real deal is to start with quality raw cacao powder available in good supermarkets and health food shops. The best powder is dark brown and will taste bitter.
You can make your own hot beverage by mixing the powder with hot water or milk. Some research has found that mixing dairy with cacao inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. So to get the most health benefits from your cup of cacao, try using a milk substitute such as coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or just plain water.
If you have a sweet tooth, add sugar, honey or agave nectar.
Drinking hot cocao will give you more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate, because the heat releases more antioxidants. That said, Melbourne chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs recommends eating 60 grams of good-quality dark chocolate every day for a healthy body. "There is also a new chocolate called Acticoa that has nine times the antioxidants of red wine and five times more than green tea."
Mood Enhancer
Raw cocoa is an aphrodisiac because it contains anandamide, a substance that induces euphoria. It also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a mood enhancer. While this super-molecule exists naturally in the brain, the only other food that contains PEA is blue-green algae.
You can make an instant mix "Spicy Drinking Cacao" pre adding a tiny pinch of chilli powder, dash of cinnamon and nutmeg with your coconut sugar if you can get powdered coconut milk add right proportions into a jar shake well viola - just a heaped tablespoon at a time add hot water- do remember coconut sugar is not very sweet so add more than common table sugar. Froth it in blender for extra zoom!
I have found this calms the nerves, makes me sleep soundly, and also as an added bonus contributes to weight loss. WIN-WIN!
YUMMY Deliciousness
Hot cacao is a great way to consume something nutritious while feeling decadent. But you should buy cacao in its raw form, rather than the highly processed, low-grade hot chocolates that contain nothing but empty kilojoules and little in the way of true cacao.
The Pros
Naturopath Aimee Robbins says raw, powdered cacao is full of flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from ageing and disease caused by free radicals. Raw cacao contains up to four times the antioxidants of traditional cacao powder, and has the highest antioxidant value of all the natural foods in the world. Scientists from Cornell University in the US recently discovered that raw cacao contains nearly twice the antioxidant content of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidant content of green tea; for more on the plus side it is alkalizing for the body.
Nutrients
The cacao bean is also rich in magnesium, an energy mineral and vital electrolyte. This super-food is also a good source of sulphur. Sulphur is associated with strong nails, shiny hair and a healthy liver and pancreas. Medical herbalist Dominique Finney says the flavonoids in cacao prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidising and clogging the arteries. "Cacao has also been found to help regulate blood pressure and reduce cholesterol while building the immune system."
Drinking a cup of hot cacao before meals can diminish your appetite by helping the body tune in to its natural appetite. According to Dr Gabriel Cousens, this is due to cacao's monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). This is why it is often added to weight-loss supplements.
The Cons
You can have too much of a good thing. Cacao is very powerful on the central nervous system and over-indulging can interfere with calcium retention. Don't consume more than 40 grams (or four to six heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao a day.
How to eat it
The best way to make sure you're getting the real deal is to start with quality raw cacao powder available in good supermarkets and health food shops. The best powder is dark brown and will taste bitter.
You can make your own hot beverage by mixing the powder with hot water or milk. Some research has found that mixing dairy with cacao inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. So to get the most health benefits from your cup of cacao, try using a milk substitute such as coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or just plain water.
If you have a sweet tooth, add sugar, honey or agave nectar.
Drinking hot cocao will give you more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate, because the heat releases more antioxidants. That said, Melbourne chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs recommends eating 60 grams of good-quality dark chocolate every day for a healthy body. "There is also a new chocolate called Acticoa that has nine times the antioxidants of red wine and five times more than green tea."
Mood Enhancer
Raw cocoa is an aphrodisiac because it contains anandamide, a substance that induces euphoria. It also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a mood enhancer. While this super-molecule exists naturally in the brain, the only other food that contains PEA is blue-green algae.
Cacao Elixir
Cacao Recipes
I love to use cacao in raw chocolate, slices, cakes and bliss balls. Check out my recipes and add some cacao to your life!
