The World Of Chocolate - Cacao

Chocolate has been described as "food of the Gods" and whether you love it or hate it, it can have lasting well-being and medicinal properties.

As a chocoholic, I have loved investing and discovering chocolate's fascinating history, where chocolate comes from today, and also well-being and health treatments.

The World Of Chocolate - Cacao

History Of Chocolate

Theobroma Cacao or commonly known as the Cacao Tree was discovered more than 2000 years ago in the deep rain forests of Central America. Today it is grown throughout Central and South America as well as parts of Africa and South East Asia.

"Did you know back in 2008/2009 the world cocoa production was 3,515,000 tonnes? This is equivalent to the weight of a line of double-decker buses stretching more than three times the length of Britain!" - www.Kew.org

Production Today in Madagascar

Chocolate production in Madagascar dates back to 1937 during the French Colonial times. Today 70 percent of the finest cacao comes from Africa including the island of Madagascar.

In the above photograph, you can see what it looks like inside the Cacao pod. Each of the Cacao seeds is covered in a sweet, sticky white covering which is quite nice to the taste but the Cacao seeds are very bitter in this raw state.

There is a lengthy process in place from the growth of the tree, pod, harvesting, and finally the drying to the sorting of each bean into a quality grade.

One of the finest chocolatiers in Madagascar is Roberts, they have a number of different flavours and they are all delicious!!

Health and Wellbeing

Last month I was introduced to the Heart Circle with Cacao. The day included meditation, Heart Intelligence work, and a lovingly prepared glass of cacao. Delicious!!

If you are in Edinburgh on Monday 4th April the Science Festival is in full motion with more on chocolate!

That's all from Loooving Chocolate till next time when I will be sharing beauty treatments.

I would love to hear your comments on chocolate. Have you discovered one of its health properties? or perhaps like me, you are traveling the world and discovering its many tasty delights? Please email enquiries@MDHardingTravelPhotography.com or find me on Facebook. If you enjoyed reading, don't forget to share! Happy Travels:) x