Celebrate! Chocolate!

Created on Tuesday, 24 January 2012 19:12

 The Aztecs used the cocoa bean to produce a beverage called xocoatl. It was always made in to a drink. The cocoa bean was introduced to Spain in the 16th century when Cortez visited the emperor Montezuma and brought these pods back to Spain.  It was the Spanish monks job to keep the secrecy about this antioxidant rich beverage.  Some how the secret got out, so glad it did. From there the delicious cacao bean traveled to Switzerland and the first chocolate bar was made by adding milk to the bean. 

All chocolate comes from a cacao pod. From these pods, cocoa butter, cocoa powder and cocoa nibs are extracted. The butter is used for chocolate making, baking, skin care products and ointments. The powder is used for hot drinks, more baking, and the nibs for eating. These beautiful chocolate dainties that are enjoyed on special occasions have one or all of these components in them, but in very small amounts. Sugar is really the key player in these celebrated treats.

True cacao nibs or powder is rich in antioxidants.   A simpler way to understand antioxidants is, they help restore cell damage in the body. Another benefit to cacao is magnesium. A few benefits of magnesium is it can regulate high blood pressure, helps with migraines, insomnia, depression, and cardiovascular health. 

True chocolate is very bitter. Our taste buds don’t like bitters. Manufacturers know this, so cacao is disguised with sugar and made into cute little shapes. The less processed and the more bitter these cacao beans are the more health benefit. This is what Montezuma drank every day.

Here's my winter beverage of choice.

1 heaping tsp of Cacao powder
1 tsp Maca Powder
1 tsp of maple syrup
Enough hot water to fill the mug. 

Here's some variations to the above 
Add 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp cinnamon for balancing blood sugar
      dash of cayenne for circulation
      Scoop of whipping cream, just for fun!
      1 tsp of coffee substitute to give it that mocha taste  
      1 Tbsp of chia seeds, this is a required taste the drink becomes lumpy
      more like a chocolate pudding 

Find a nice comfy chair, put your feet up and enjoy the soothing aroma of this hot drink.