Why Raw Chocolate?
Well, the feel good factor often experienced when eating chocolate is stronger when eating raw chocolate as the chemical compounds responsible are not inhibited by dairy or sugar. The raw cacao bean contains over 300 nutritional compounds, it is high in anti-oxidants, rich in essential minerals and even contains the natural 'love molecule' PEA. Much of this natural goodness is destroyed in the heating process, of conventional chocolate.
Chocolate folklore and history
It was the Mayans that really got into this “food of the Gods”. According to Maya mythology, the Plumed Serpent gave cacao to the Maya after humans were created from maize by divine grandmother goddess Xmucane. In a similar creation story, the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl discovered cacao (cacahuatl: "'bitter water"'), in a mountain filled with other plant foods. There are several mixtures of cacao described in ancient texts, for ceremonial, medicinal uses as well as culinary purposes. Some mixtures included maize, chili, vanilla, peanut butter and honey.
Why do we feel so good ?
Because raw chocolate is packed with phyto-chemicals that trigger the brains happy feel good neuro-transmitters such as serotonin and anandamide.
What goes in it?
We mix the cacao butter with the powdered cacao beans, and then we add the low GI index fruit sugar, Agave syrup to sweeten it. We can then bring other flavours from superfoods such as maca powder, mesquite powder, and camu camu powder. Then we can add crunch and texture with Goji berries and the cacao nibs. We can even add a natural boost with Guarana powder.
How do we make Raw Chocolate ?
It’s simple, and here is the beginners guide. We recommend that it is all about the intent, so enjoy the sensuality of the colours, tastes and smells and don’t forget to make a wish…..happy creations.
100 grams Cacao powder
100 grams Cacao butter
Agave nectar to taste.
1.Boil up a big pan of water, then remove from the heat.
2.In a sturdy thick glass bowl set the cacao butter over the steaming water.
3. Allow it to melt down to a liquid, then
stir in the cacao powder slowly until smooth.
4. Add the agave syrup to taste.
(Yep you got to taste it at this point!!!)
THEN
You can pour it into your mold and let it set or you can design you own additional ingredient blends from the list below.
Enjoy!
