Recept

Cocoa for Health & Happiness: Nutrients and Recipes

Cocoa has been used and worshiped as the "Food of the Gods" by people for centuries. The Maya believed that ka’kau’ was discovered by the gods in a mountain, and according to Maya mythology, Hunahpú gave cocoa to the Maya after humans were created.

Cocoa has been considered a very important and powerful food for thousands of years. From the Mesoamerican and South American cultures, such as the Maya and Aztecs, to the Spanish conquistadors who discovered cocoa and brought it to Europe.

Cocoa is a wonder for all the senses

What makes cocoa so special?

Cocoa offers a very unique taste sensation that cannot be replicated chemically. The cocoa bean contains many nutrients and phytochemicals that together create its flavor and effect.

Cocoa touches all our senses and affects us emotionally. According to many, cocoa provides a special sense of comfort and a lot of pleasure when eaten or drunk.

Nutrients in the Cocoa Bean

Cocoa is rich in antioxidants and also high in magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. Of course, quality and how it is processed play a crucial role in its antioxidant activity.

Theobromine and tryptophan

There is a connection between eating chocolate and being happy. Cocoa/dark chocolate appears to have natural mood-enhancing effects.

It is believed this is because it contains theobromine, a stimulant, and tryptophan, which helps increase levels of serotonin, one of the most important feel-good neurotransmitters.

Anandamide

Cocoa is also said to release anandamide, a neurological transmitter produced in the brain that is believed to regulate feelings of happiness. Anandamide is produced in the body, for example, during exercise.

Phenylethylamine (PEA)

Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a chemical that increases feelings of love and focus. PEA is abundant in the brains of happy people, and when we are in love, our PEA levels rise.

Cocoa contains PEA, and this is probably why chocolate and falling in love are often linked. However, note that PEA is sensitive to heat and is destroyed by intense roasting. Therefore, there is debate about how much PEA really remains in cocoa.

4 delicious chocolate recipes that are vegan & gluten-free

Cocoa can be used in food, desserts, drinks, and as luxurious body care. Here are some of our favorite recipes and tips!

1. Raw vegan chocolate

Ingredients

2.5 dl cocoa butter and 2.5 dl cocoa mass
OR
2.5 dl cocoa mass and 2.5 dl cocoa powder.
Optional sweetener such as 2-3 tbsp honey, coconut sugar, yacon syrup, date sugar, xylitol, or another sweetener you prefer.

Cocoa mass

Cocoa mass gives a darker, richer chocolate. Cocoa mass is whole cocoa beans ground into a homogeneous mass. That’s why it’s brown and has a very intense cocoa flavor.

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is only the fat from the cocoa bean; it has a white color and a mild flavor similar to white chocolate and works best mixed with cocoa powder.

How to make it

Place cocoa butter in a stainless steel bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. Let the butter slowly melt while stirring.
Also place cocoa mass in a stainless steel bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. Let the mass slowly melt while stirring.
Cocoa butter and cocoa mass need to be melted separately.
Then mix them in a bowl and add the sweetener and cocoa powder if you are using it instead of cocoa mass.
Stir thoroughly.
You can now add other ingredients like blueberry powder, raspberry, chopped nuts, a pinch of sea salt, puffed quinoa, goji berries, spirulina, licorice powder, chaga, lucuma, maca, mesquite, baobab, vanilla powder, cardamom, cinnamon, mint flavor, pink pepper, etc.
Place a chocolate mold (preferably silicone) on a tray, pour the chocolate mixture into the mold; this can get messy and requires patience =).
Place the mold carefully in the freezer and let it set for 15-30 minutes or until completely firm.
If you want to fill chocolates, put a little chocolate batter in the bottom of the mold cavity, pour in the filling you want, and cover with chocolate batter.
Silicone molds make it very easy to release the chocolate when it’s ready.
Then just enjoy.

2. Vegan hot chocolate

Chocolate is wonderful as a drink; it gives a feeling of warmth and comfort.

Ingredients

170 g chopped 70% dark chocolate
4 dl oat milk
1 (400 ml) can of coconut milk (can be replaced with 4 dl more oat milk)
1/4 dl maple syrup
¼ tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 dl cocoa powder

How to make it

Add oat milk and coconut milk to a larger saucepan.
Pour in chopped chocolate, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla.
Let simmer over medium heat and whisk often to properly mix the cocoa powder into the milk.
Whisk often until the hot chocolate has thickened slightly.
When the chocolate simmers, it will expand in volume and rise, so lower the heat as needed to prevent it from boiling over the edge.
Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
Whip again and taste.
Add optional toppings like whipped vegan cream.
Now just enjoy.

3. Cocoa smoothie

Ingredients

400 ml coconut water 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 tbsp chia seeds 1 frozen ripe banana (peeled, sliced, and frozen) 2 tbsp almond butter 1 tbsp hemp seeds

How to make it

Add coconut water and chia seeds to a blender.
Let rest for 10 minutes so the chia seeds can swell.
Blend.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend again.
For a thicker shake, add some ice or more frozen banana.
Divide into two glasses and serve immediately.

4. Hot chocolate with Chaga

Ingredients

200 ml boiled water 1/2 tsp chaga powder 50 ml warmed coconut milk or oat milk 1 tsp cocoa powder 1 tsp Manuka honey

How to make it

Let the chaga powder steep in boiling water for a few minutes.
Then mix all the ingredients in a blender.
Pour into a nice cup and enjoy.

BONUS

Give your skin love with the cocoa bean

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is rich in vitamins E, A, B, and C, making it excellent nourishment for the skin and often recommended for treating skin conditions like eczema. It also works well as a massage oil.

Warm a piece of cocoa butter against your skin or in your hand so it melts, then you can rub it into your skin.
Take a piece and put it in the bath, wonderful for the skin!
Feel free to mix with our shea butter. If you are pregnant and want to avoid stretch marks, this blend is great. If you want a ready-made product, we have this lovely one from Fushi.
You can also mix cocoa butter with an organic base oil, such as avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, or jojoba oil, then add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Most essential oils are fine for adults; for children, choose mild essential oils like Lavender, Rose, and Chamomile.