Something magical about chocolate, stimulates odd cravings!
Home-made cacao bars (flavoured with fresh ginger, coffee, lime zest, mint leaves) is an irresistible love affair.
Cacao originated in Americas, along Amazon 4000 years ago. By 600 AD an important part of Mayan life. Mayan’s were original chocolatiers. Began as a drink, á la hot chocolate. Cacao beans ground into a paste on stones. Flavoured with spicy chili peppers, honey, cardamom. Served as a sacred part of ancient religious ceremonies. Milk, sugar weren’t added till 1000 year’s later.
Now, world consumes 600,000 tons of chocolate each year. Before cacao beans are converted to chocolate, must undergo a specific process of fermentation. Harvested, pulpy beans are piled into wood boxes, fermented for days. Takes away bitterness, activates important enzymes. Cacao is dried in sun for rich, lovely chocolatey smell. Roasting delivers chocolate’s signature taste.
Buy organic, fair trade chocolate!