Cacao México (2024)

FAQs

What did the Mayans mean by cacao? ›

The Maya loved cacao, and the word itself comes from the Mayan word “KaKaWa.” According to Mayan tradition, their god Kukulkan (“Feathered Serpent”), one of the most important gods in Mesoamerica, provided cacao to the people after human creation.

Ecuador is home to some of the best cacao beans in the world. Only approximately 5% of cacao in the world is labeled as “Fine Aroma,” and Ecuador produces nearly 63% of it.

It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. Each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans. Research to date supports that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet and lifestyle.

Bean-to-bar chocolatiers, who make chocolate from scratch starting with fermented, dried beans, only use the word cacao for the pod and beans before they're fermented. After fermentation, they call them cocoa beans. Given this variation in usage of terms, it's helpful to understand how cacao beans are processed.

A symbol of connection, culture, family, ancestry, and love. Like its decadent flavor, cacao carries an essence of richness that has been considered sacred since its inception. Cacao's symbolism is woven throughout time, starting in Mesoamerica and powerfully persisting into contemporary times.

Ek Chuaj, also known as Ek Chuah, Ekchuah, God M according to the Schellhas-Zimmermann-Taube classification of codical gods, is a Postclassic Maya merchant deity as well as a patron of cacao.

Cacao vs. Cocoa. While cacao refers to cacao beans that have not been roasted, what is called cocoa is made of beans that have been roasted. So, in turn, a product that is labeled cacao is the raw bean and is often packaged as vegan chocolate that has been minimally processed with no additives.

With 2.2 million tonnes of cocoa in 2022, Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer, accounting for a third of the global total. For many reasons, the cocoa trade in Côte d'Ivoire and Western Africa has been controversial.

The chart compares per capita chocolate consumption among the top ten countries. Switzerland leads the chart with an annual consumption of 8.8 kg per person, closely followed by Germany at 8.4 kg. Ireland and the United Kingdom are also significant consumers, with figures around 8.3 kg and 8.2 kg, respectively.

A standard Hershey's bar contains 10% cocoa. This is lower than the cocoa content of many other brands of chocolate, which typically contain between 35% and 70% cocoa. The lower cocoa content in Hershey's bars is due to the use of milk chocolate, which contains milk solids, sugar, and cocoa butter in addition to cocoa.

How many cups of cacao per day? ›

A "daily dose" could be considered 1 oz (28g) cacao (about 1/4 cup chopped), which makes a 6-8oz drink. But some people choose to have even less. A 4oz drink made with 1/2oz (14g) of cacao (about 1/8 cup chopped) can be more like an espresso-sized serving.

That's because those Cadbury milk bars contain 23 percent cacao in comparison to the American-made Hershey bars, which contain only eleven percent cacao, resulting in a much darker, richer taste in the Cadbury bar. The second major difference is sugar content.

Even lightly heating cacao will destroy a third of the antioxidants and flavonoids. Heating cacao to high temperatures will even destroy 90% of all antioxidants that are present within the final product. For that reason, highly heated cacao is next to useless for health benefits.

Your cocoa powder will have a 'best-before' date on it. The taste might start to gradually mellow after that date or it might go a bit 'clumpy', but it's unlikely you'll notice much difference. It's still safe to eat as long as it doesn't feel moist or smell unpleasant.

Cacao is a great source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals – serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine. These neurotransmitters are associated with cosy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression. A natural, healthy, delicious (and legal) way to get your happy buzz on.

These findings suggest that cacao played a role in the changing of Maya religious worship of a maize god to a sun god. The Maya also used cacao as a form of currency, as a part of religious ritual, and as a form of tribute.

According to a research published in the journal Economic Anthropology, the ancient Mayans employed cacao beans, the main component in chocolate, as a kind of payment. According to the findings, cocoa was traded for products and services during the Classic Maya era (250-900 CE).

The beans were roasted, ground, and brewed into a bitter hot chocolate drink that was used in religious ceremonies, buried in the tombs of dignitaries, and used to worship Ek Chuah, the Maya god of merchants and patron of cacao.

In Mesoamerica, people used cacao beans as currency. Cacao could be used to buy food, pay taxes, or even purchase a prostitute or slaves. For example, you could buy a turkey hen for 100 cacao beans or a slave for the same amount. A prostitute might cost somewhere between 8 to 10 beans.