cacao

02.08.09 Tiesto @ Cacao Beach, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria Clip 1

The History of Chocolate, Cocoa Beans and the Cacao Tree

The history of chocolate is one that goes back centuries through many cultures. Chocolate is known for its cultivation, processing, taste, presentation and psychology.  The history of chocolate is in many ways the history of the Americas, from the ancient Mayans to the theft of "the secret", and has made its way through Europe eventually returning to the Americas.  The history of chocolate is almost as interesting as the confection itself, and as interesting as the tastes that cocoa can produce when crafted by experts into fine chocolates and chocolate is as unique as the options available to the chocolate consumer.

The Aztec emperor Montezuma drank over 50 cups a day of chocolate which is one of the more interesting aspects of the history of chocolate. Cocoa beans served as a form of currency, and was considered a luxury commodity. The history of chocolate is more fascinating than the tales of the Arabian nights. The History of Chocolate is a Record with Centuries of Appreciation.

Ancient cultures who brew the seeds of the cacao tree into a delicious beverage was the start of a wide assortment of chocolates that everybody enjoys today.

Chocolate became a treat only the wealthiest could aquire when it was discovered by European conquests. One of the reasons, chocolate was  expensive, but also bitter. Spices and sugar were used to sweeten chocolate, but they were also expensive and out of the common man's reach. What made chocolate candy affordable for everybody was at the beginning of the industrial age and mass production.

The chocolate candy bar became a big hit in stores, and took its place proudly on the general store shelfs next to hard candy, gum drop, and candy canes. From that meager beginning, the varieties available today are mind boggling. With limitless ingredients, chocolate candy is available in many different flavors and shapes today. There are some ingredients like fruits and nuts which are complimentary to the flavor and texture of the chocolate and can be left diced or whole inside the chocolate candy bar. Other flavorings and spices are also added to enhance the chocolate. Some people when they taste chocolate a story is told in their chocolate candy. Travel by chocolate and the chocolate flavor medley tells them through their tongue what region of the world each ingredient came from.

With the Internet, everyone can enjoy exotic chocolate candy delicacies made from anywhere in the world. Innovations in chocolate recipes and shipping ensures everyone will receive their chocolate candy in perfect condition.

Today, to make chocolate candy there is a wide variety of chocolate molds and candy making accessories. Making chocolate personalized gifts to making chocolates, the possibilities are endless in the flavors and ingredients to incorporate. Very successful candy companies begin this way with an idea right from their own home kitchen.

Chocolate is the delicacy of kings, and today everyone’s favorite treat. Chocolate is a revered and sacred food of  the people, and a modern scientific wonder, the history of chocolate is varied, rich, and exciting.

Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chocolate Powder, Cacao Power, Mayan Superfood, 16-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 2) List Price: $37.24 Sale Price: $25.56 You save: $11.68 (31%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description King of cacao. Raw chocolate - the new red wine. Cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health enhancing properties as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cocoa beans (theobroma cacao/raw chocolate) are the source for all chocolate and cocoa products. Our certified organic, raw cacao is the premium criollo variety. Theobroma literally means food of the goods - so called from the goodness of the seeds and Mexican named the pounded seeds chocolate cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health-enhancing properties, as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physician and mental well-being, including an incredibly rich supply of magnesium. Other essential minerals present in Cacao are calcium, zinc, iron, copper and potassium. Cacao also contains more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. Navitas Naturals vegan cacao nibs are unprocessed, certified organic, raw, peeled cacao beans. Our premium cacao beans come directly from the farmers who cultivate them. These farmers grow their crops on their own land, using sustainable methods that have been used for generations. These cacao beans are guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. USDA organic. Certified organic by Skal International. Imported form Peru. Packed in the USA. Features Pack of 2 (total 32 oz) Made from pure, 100% natural cacao powder Certified organic, vegan; a good source of minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium Mix into chocolate ice cream, smoothies, or yogurt; an antioxidant-rich supplement with antiseptic, diuretic and soothing properties Navitas Naturals products come directly from the farmers who cultivate them and are free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides

Certified Organic Kosher Raw Vegan Healthy Navitas Naturals Cacao Chocolate Nibs - 1 Pound Bag! Natures Chocolate Chips! Sale Price: $15.68 See Reviews For This Product Description Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs are the partially ground cacao beans that are the natural source of all chocolate products. And though the Mayans may have touted cacao as the Food of the Gods, weve got dessert on our minds. With their crunchy texture and inte Features Contains antioxidant, vitality and dietary fiber Natural and made according to USDA certificate standards Raw choclate nibs cacao power

Certified Organic, Raw Cacao Powder, From Peru 5 Lb. List Price: $78.90 Sale Price: $38.00 You save: $40.90 (52%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Cacao is the bean that chocolate is made from. In its raw state, it contains more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. Our raw cacao is high in fiber and vitamin C and a good source of iron and protein!WFN cacao powder is certified organic and raw. Our premium cacao beans come directly from the farmers who cultivate them. These farmers grow their crops on their own land, using the same sustainable methods that have been used for generations. These cacao beans are guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. They are USDA certified organic. They are imported from Peru and Ecuador and packed by Wilderness Family Naturals in the USA. Features Certified Organic Has a very high ORAC levels

Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Powder 16 oz Sale Price: $18.50   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder brings the chocolate factory to your kitchen, as it instantly transforms smoothies, desserts, pies, and countless other recipes into the healthiest chocolate indulgence around. Put a spoonful into your next treat and understand why this super food has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Plus, with no added sugar, Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder is an exceptionally healthy way to stock up on antioxidants and important minerals like magnesium and iron. Check out the cacao recipe section for great ideas, and make your life as chocolatey as you please! Source and Processing Navitas Naturals cacao beans are hand-selected for quality, partially fermented to alleviate bitterness, and processed at low temperatures for maximum nutrient retention. Once extracted from the pod-like fruit, purified water is used to cleanse the beans. The whole beans are peeled and cold-pressed to from a paste, the bean's oil is extracted, and our nutrient-dense cacao powder is formed. Features Navitas Naturals - Certified Organic Kosher Raw Vegan Healthy Cacao Chocolate Powder holds 16 ounce A treasure of vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, zinc, chromium and magnesium Organic and Kosher certified Premium Criollo variety Its rich in Antioxidant

Cacao Barry Cocoa Powder - Extra Dark Sale Price: $17.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This extra dark alkalized (Dutch-processed) cocoa powder (intense red colour) is full of flavour and is excellent for baking, preparing hot chocolate drinks, and confectionery. Use it for coating truffles or powdering with a fine coppery colour. Additional applications include mousses, creams, and cakes. 22 - 24% cocoa fat content.1 kilogram/2.2 pound bagSize: 1 kgProduct of FranceIngredients: Cocoa powder (alkalized)Allergens: May contain soyKosher Features This extra dark alkalized (Dutch-processed) cocoa powder (intense red colour) is full of flavou... 1 kilogram/2.2 pound bag Size: 1 kg

Certified Organic, Raw Cacao Powder, From Peru 1# List Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $12.95 You save: $6.00 (32%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Cacao is the bean that chocolate is made from. In its raw state, it contains more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. Our raw cacao is high in fiber and vitamin C and a good source of iron and protein!WFN cacao powder is certified organic and raw. Our premium cacao beans come directly from the farmers who cultivate them. These farmers grow their crops on their own land, using the same sustainable methods that have been used for generations. These cacao beans are guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. They are USDA certified organic. They are imported from Peru and Ecuador and packed by Wilderness Family Naturals in the USA. Features Certified Organic Has a very high ORAC levels

Navitas Naturals Organic Goji Berries Himalayan Superfruit, 16-Ounce Pouch List Price: $23.10 Sale Price: $13.67 You save: $9.43 (41%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Goji berries have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. This bag contains 100% pure goji berries that are certified organic, vegan and kosher. The goji berry is one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth. It is a vegetarian form of protein, packed with essential amino acids, rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C. Goji berries possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, Riboflavin (B2), vitamin E as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene. Navitas Naturals¿ mission is to provide premium organic power foods that increase energy and enhance health. Our products are of the highest quality, sourced directly from farmers, cultivated sustainably and in accordance with fair trade practices. Product of China - Packed in USA Features Certified Organic, Kosher, Vegan, Sun-Dried and Raw. Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Trace Minerals, Protein, Amino Acids. Nutrient and Antioxidant rich superfruit. Packed with minerals and vitamins. Tasty on their own, blended with smoothies, mixed with cereals, granola, yogurt and salads. Navitas Naturals products come directly from the farmers who cultivate them and are free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides.

100% Organic Cacao Nibs 16oz List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $14.50 You save: $2.49 (15%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 16 oz resealable bag. Venezuela is renowned for having the worlds best cacao. Venezuelan origin varieties such as Chuao and Porcelana can sell for 5 to 10 times the prices of regular cacaos and make the worlds most expensive chocolates. Treat your palate to the delicate flavors of this single bean origin cacao from OCUMARE, a small farming co-operative on the coastal mountains of Venezuela, where South America meets the Caribbean. Chocolates form Ocumare beans have won many international awards. We are the first and only company to offer 100% USDA Certified Organic Cacao from Venezuela. Founded by my brother and I in order to offer direct from farm to you the wonders of this tropical bean. Be one of the first to try Venzuela's only Organic Cacao. We work direct with the farmers to ensure above fair trade prices are paid and sustainable farming practices are implemented. We buy, export, import, package, distribute and sell direct and can offer this unique product at a discounted rate. We work directly with the processing company to ensure low temperature processing and use an artisan expeller press to produce our powder and butter thus keeping temperature below 120 to keep the antioxidant power of this delicate superfood at a record high. Compare our product with other so called criollo cacao powder, notice how much lighter our powder is, that's because the criollo variety is a lighter colored bean, pink to pure white, where as cheaper inferior Forastero and Trinitario bean varietals are dark purple and dark brown. Criollo cacao beans are the rarest comprising about 10% of world supply, it has delicate flavor tones, such as berries and nuts, very low acidity and full chocolate flavor. Features Organically Certified Single Bean Origin - 2009 Harvest from OCUMARE Criollo Bean Variety - Venezuela Cold Pressed - Expeller Pressed Flavor Tones - low acidity, pure chocolate flavor, cashews and red berry undertones

Cacao Barry Extra Dark Extra Red Cocoa Powder - 2.2 lb Sale Price: $22.10   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Luminous and intense red, very flavorful. For covering truffles or a copper-colored powdering. Features Pack of 2.2 pounds Luminous and intense red, very flavorful For covering truffles or a copper-colored powdering

Tags: cacao, cacao beans, cacao health benefits, cacao nibs, cacao powder, cacao pronunciation, chocolate, food, raw, recipes

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