The stain of Cacao.

The affinity towards Cocoa is getting stronger and stronger,Theobroma cacao, which literally means "Cacao, the food of the gods." The mighty Cocoa a powder made from cacao seeds after they have been fermented, roasted, shelled, ground, is been around in my kitchen pantry for quite long time. Only to be experimented last week. I do not call it a cocoa research, rather an eagerness to enjoy the texture of Chocolate , home made chocolate to be precise.

It was ten years ago, I remember chef Abdul , and his Home made Chocolate, me being a mere observer, helping him in greasing the mold and cleaning the sauce pans. The perfect blend of Butter, Cocoa , Milk powder and sugar turns to a beautiful slab of home made chocolate , which is later divided in to small cubes and served as compliments to all guest rooms.

That's when the affinity exactly bloomed in me, Its not the taste I like the most. It is the feel when you prepare it.to understand the sugar, cocoa, milk powder and its characteristics make you feel better.I practiced it many times and prepared it so many times , where the Cocoa stain and the better feel will last in my heart forever.

A week ago, two unopened tins of cocoa powder, created a chocolaty nostalgia in me,The cocoa instinct filling my mind, In the name of Chef Abdul, I started the old secret recipe, melting hundred grams of butter in low heat, and stirring hundred grams of icing sugar, followed by six tablespoon of Cocoa and four table spoon of milk powder. What a perfect blend, not forgetting the mixed dry fruits, the mixture was then refrigerated.

The sophomore did the honor of tasting and me drenched in the happiness of cocoa,an Italian study says a small square (20 g) of dark (bittersweet) chocolate every three days is the ideal dose for cardiovascular benefits. I do not have a cardiovascular problem, but then with an indelible chocolaty/cocoa stain in my heart and sleepy eyes on my face, I was about to leave the kitchen .That's when, my droopy eyes alerted with the sight of another unopened Cocoa tin.

Happy Chocolate!! Cacao

Cocoa Facts

*Cocoa beans contain polyphenols (similar to those found in wine) with antioxidant properties which are health beneficial. These compounds are called flavonoids and include catechins, epicatechins, and procyandins. The antioxidant flavinoids are found in the nonfat portions of the cocoa bean. The flavinoids also reduce the blood's ability to clot and thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

*Phenylethylamine is a slight antidepressant and stimulant similar to the body's own dopamine and adrenaline

*Cocoa beans are rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese

*Cocoa and chocolate can increase the level of serotonine in the brain. Serotonine levels are often decreased in people with depression