What Is Cocoa?
Cocoa is a brown powder made from the seeds of a tropical tree. It is used in making chocolate and the world’s leading cocoa producer.
What Is Cocoa Made From?
Cocoa beans are the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. They are the key ingredient for chocolate bonbons, confectionery and beverages. The beans are harvested, fermented, dried and finally roasted to give them depth and develop all their cocoa aromas.
Where Is Cocoa Found?
The production of cocoa begins in the tropical regions around the Equator, where the hot and humid climate is well suited for growing cocoa trees. 70% of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Why Is Cocoa So Tasty?
“In the cocoa beans, you have dopamine, phenylethylamine, caffeine, and anandamide,” Thierry explains. “Anandamide is actually a happy neurotransmitter in your brain; it’s called the bliss molecule. So the anandamide makes you feel blessed, makes you feel happy, makes you feel good.
Why Is It Called Cocoa?
The word cocoa comes from the Spanish word cacao, which is derived from the Nahuatl word cacahuatl. The Nahuatl word, in turn, ultimately derives from the reconstructed Proto-Mije–Sokean word kakawa. Used on its own, the term cocoa may also mean: Hot cocoa, the drink more known as hot chocolate.
Is Cocoa Good For Your Health?
Cocoa powder also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help to improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps to reduce inflammation and can protect you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Is Cocoa A Fruit or Nut?
Chocolate is actually a nut! All chocolate is made from the large seed (nut) of the cacao fruit. This nut is called the cacao bean or cocoa bean. It is about the size of an almond and contains proteins and oils, yet no sugar.
What does cocoa taste like?
Imagine eating a 100% dark chocolate bar: That’s what cacao nibs taste like. They’re dense and crunchy, with fruity notes and a strong bitter aftertaste similar to espresso beans. Cacao powder is made from a dried paste of pressed cacao nibs, which concentrates that dark chocolate flavor even further
Who Should Avoid Cocoa?
Cacao causes your heart rate to increase. If you have a serious heart condition you shouldn’t take it. If you have a less serious heart condition, you may be able to take a small dose (up to 15g); however, you do so at your own risk. If in any doubt, please seek medical advice before taking Ceremonial Cacao.
How Many Years Does It Take To Grow A Cocoa Tree?
About 5 years
It takes about 5 years (from seed) for a cacao tree to grow mature and start producing cacao pods. The beans grow in football-shaped pods on the trunk of the tree and from larger branches. The average cacao tree produces 30-40 cacao pods a year.
What Is The Use Of Cocoa?
Long regarded as a food treat, cocoa is now used by some people as medicine. Cocoa seed is used for infectious intestinal diseases and diarrhea, asthma, bronchitis, and as an expectorant for lung congestion. The seed coat is used for liver, bladder, and kidney ailments; diabetes; as a tonic; and as a general remedy.
Cocoa Prices In Ghana:
The producer price for purchase of cocoa beans at GH¢10,560 per metric tonne and By this, a 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa beans will still sell at GH¢660.00.