Al-Ishaq RK, Abotaleb M, Kubatka P, Kajo K, Büsselberg D. Flavonoids and their anti-diabetic effects: cellular mechanisms and effects to improve blood sugar levels. Biomolecules. 2019;9(9):430. doi:10.3390/biom9090430 Natural antidepressant because it contains dopamine, phenylethylamine, and serotonin which maintain mental health, improve mood, help with stress and depression. It enhances the pleasure of physical activity, and relieves fatigue; In addition to these three main varieties, there are many different strains and sub-varieties of cocoa beans, each with unique flavours and characteristics.

Cocoa bean - Wikipedia

Leaves are alternate, entire, unlobed, 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 in) long and 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 in) broad. Baharum Z, Akim AM, Hin TY, Hamid RA, Kasran R. Theobroma cacao: review of the extraction, isolation, and bioassay of its potential anti-cancer compounds. Trop Life Sci Res. 2016;27(1):21-42. The reason for the inversion of the letters " o" and " a" in the borrowing from the Spanish " cacao" to the English "cocoa" is unknown,

Health benefits of Cocoa beans

While there are several cultivars of cocoa around the world, only three varieties are popular for their unique fragrance and commercial importance; Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario. Criollo is a high-quality grade of cocoa with exceptional flavor and aroma. Trinitario is a hybrid of Criollo and Forastero strains. Additionally, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome, may experience digestive issues when consuming raw cocoa beans due to their high fibre content. What is the History of Cocoa Beans? Baynham R, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JCS, Johns PW, Pham QS, Rendeiro C. Cocoa flavanols improve vascular responses to acute mental stress in young healthy adults. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1103. doi:10.3390/nu13041103 Fabricant, Florence (12 January 2011). "Rare Cacao Beans Discovered in Peru". The New York Times . Retrieved 28 October 2017. Additionally, chocolate products often contain added sugar and fat, which can have negative effects on health when consumed in excess.

bean to bar: How to make chocolate | Kew From bean to bar: How to make chocolate | Kew

Osakabe, Naomi; Baba, Seigo; Yasuda, Akiko; Iwamoto, Tamami; Kamiyama, Masumi; Tokunaga, Takahisa; Kondo, Kazuo (2004). "Dose-Response Study of Daily Cocoa Intake on the Oxidative Susceptibility of Low-Density Lipoprotein in Healthy Human Volunteers". Journal of Health Science. 50 (6): 679–684. doi: 10.1248/jhs.50.679. ISSN 1344-9702. 12.1% fat World Cocoa Foundation Market Update 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 August 2014.What are the varieties of cocoa?". International Cocoa Organization. 21 July 1998. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006 . Retrieved 27 June 2006. Only Fairtrade focuses on sustainable pricing, with the safety net of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and the additional Fairtrade Premium, going further than any other certification label. The long-awaited harvest time is when plantation farmers get to find out if this season’s crop will yield good quality beans. If the pods are too ripe they are vulnerable to disease, or else the beans might start to germinate. However, if the pods are too green the cocoa beans may be of very poor quality because they are not aromatic enough. The cocoa bean is widely known for its role in chocolate making, but how much do you really know about the plant itself? Antioxidants: Cocoa beans are rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, which have been linked to various health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and better cognitive function.

Cocoa Beans Grow? | Lake Champlain Chocolates Where Do Cocoa Beans Grow? | Lake Champlain Chocolates

The word “cacao” comes from the Olmec people from what is now Mexico and is believed to be the closest pronunciation to the original name of the plant.

Cocoa at Lake Champlain Chocolates

Trinitario is a natural hybrid of Forastero and Criollo. The story goes that the Trinitario tree came into existence on the island of Trinidad after a hurricane almost completely destroyed the Criollo crops in 1727. Assuming all Criollo crops were dead, Forastero was planted in its place but a spontaneous hybrid began growing – this might be why Trinitario cocoa trees have the best of both previous varieties. Cocoa was an important commodity in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. [13] A Spanish soldier who was on Hernan Cortés' side during the conquest of the Aztec Empire tells that when Moctezuma II, emperor of the Aztecs, dined, he took no other beverage than chocolate, served in a golden goblet. Flavored with vanilla or other spices, his chocolate was whipped into a froth that dissolved in the mouth. No fewer than 60 portions each day reportedly may have been consumed by Moctezuma II, and 2,000 more by the nobles of his court. [14] Cocoa beans, also known as cacao beans, are the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. Trinitario: Trinitario beans are a hybrid of Criollo and Forastero varieties and were first developed in Trinidad. They have a complex flavour profile with both fruity and earthy notes. Trinitario beans are used to make a wide range of chocolate products, from high-end to mass-produced. Hui, Yiu H. (2006). Handbook of food science, technology, and engineering. Vol.4. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-9849-0.