| Cacao is from the Plant family Malvaceae with the | | | | in Cacao, unfortunately because they can be bitter, |
| botanical name Theobroma cacao. Commonly called a | | | | they are often removed from chocolate. The |
| Cocoa tree or Coco tree, it averages a height of | | | | consumption of Raw Unrefined Cacao ensures a |
| around 5 to 7 metres. The Coco tree is a Native of | | | | higher intake of these Flavonoids. Antioxidants have |
| South America and is used primarily to make coco | | | | shown to have a beneficial effect in the treatment of |
| powder or chocolate. It is believed to have originated in | | | | cancer and its prevention. |
| areas around the Amazon basin. | | | | A Single Teaspoon of Raw Cacao powder contains |
| Preferring to grow in a humid climate it can be found | | | | more than 25,000 ORAC units. Raw Cacao powder |
| growing in its natural state along the Amazon River at | | | | contains almost 1000 ORAC units per gram. An |
| heights averaging 300 metres from Sea level. | | | | ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity) is a |
| The Leaves of the tree can grow up to a foot long | | | | measuring of the ability for antioxidants to absorb cell |
| (some longer) and around half its length wide. The | | | | damaging free radicals. |
| leaves have a bitter taste and are actually poisonous. | | | | Unprocessed Raw Cacao contains more than 25,000 |
| More than half of the cultivated crop is grown in West | | | | ORAC units per hundred grams. The closest Berry |
| Africa. Many Chocolate manufacturers and | | | | Fruit, which has traditionally the highest level of ORAC |
| processors are now supporting fair trade practices. | | | | units, is the Acai Berry with 18,500 units. Raw Coco |
| After a history of coco use in and around Mexico and | | | | clearly has the highest level. |
| Central America including use by the Maya and | | | | Using Raw Unrefined Cacao Powder |
| Aztecs, who made perhaps the first "hot chocolate" | | | | You can add cacao powder to all your favourite |
| some 2000 years ago. The Spanish returned home | | | | beverages including smoothies, tea and coffee. It can |
| with Cacao seeds and played around with new | | | | be added to deserts desserts. |
| recipes and drinks with it, setting the scene for what | | | | Precautions |
| would become the history of chocolate. | | | | Any health related topics have been included based on |
| The Botanical Genus, Theobroma literally means, food | | | | a long-term research into this area. None of the |
| of the gods. | | | | medical information listed should be considered a cure |
| The raw unrefined Cacao bean is known to be high in | | | | for any illness. Nothing listed here should take the place |
| Flavonoids, which are most commonly known for their | | | | of advice given to you by your family Doctor. |
| Antioxidant activity. Flavonoids naturally exist naturally | | | | |