December 13The scientific name Theobroma means "food of the Gods". The word cacao itself derives from the Nahuatl (Aztec language) word cacahuatl. The tree is today found growing wild in the low foothills of the Andes at elevations of around 650–1300 ft in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. It requires a humid climate with regular rainfall and good soil.
Cocoa seeds are the source of commercial cocoa, the four intermediate cocoa products are: liquor, butter, cake, powder, and chocolate. The largest consumers of cocoa in todays market is chocolate manufacturers, in terms of bean equivalent. Intermediate products such as cocoa powder and cocoa butter are used in several areas. Cocoa powder is most often used as flavor in biscuits, ice cream, dairy drinks, and cakes as well as in the manufacture of coatings for confectioners or frozen desserts. Cocoa powder is also consumed by the beverage industry for example for the preparation of chocolate milk.
Besides the traditional uses in chocolate manufacture and confectionery, cocoa butter is also used in the manufacture of tobacco, soap, and cosmetics (makeup and skin lotions). Oddly enough, it is also a folk remedy for burns, cough, dry lips, fever, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite and wounds. It is reported to be antiseptic and diuretic.
Besides the traditional uses in chocolate manufacture and confectionery, cocoa butter is also used in the manufacture of tobacco, soap, and cosmetics (makeup and skin lotions). Oddly enough, it is also a folk remedy for burns, cough, dry lips, fever, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite and wounds. It is reported to be antiseptic and diuretic.
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