A Chocolate Affair

Cacao and chocolate was widely used by ancient civilisations as currency and was seen as a ‘food for the gods.’Early colonial records indicate how cacao was used as a medicine and acted as a carrier in the administration of other remedies in the 1500’s. The medicinal value of cacao was in its ability to treat weak patients with a variety of dis-ease. It was particularly known to improve digestion and stimulate kidney and bowel function. Additional diseases that responded to treatment using cacao was anaemia, fatigue, fever, low sex drive, respiratory troubles, poor appetite and low breat milk production. In addition to the cacao bean, the oil/butter was used in the treatment of skin problems including eczema, psoriasis and burns. Today, cacao oil is considered a beauty aid in its use as a skin moisturizer, lubricating agent and when combined with the cacao bean, is used to make the chocolate confectionery we’re familiar with. All chocolate is derived from the cacao bean/seeds. Nicknamed 0black gold’ by the Spanish, it’s no mystery that chocolate continues to captivate our taste buds with its rich bittersweet dance on our palette.With over 300 identifiable chemical compounds, cacao […]

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