Cacao
Sharing a few photos from a recent trip, some useful information about many a favourite ingredient, and a simple face mask recipe for soft and soothed skin.
CACAO
Theobroma Cacao
Bioactive Compounds and Minerals
Polyphenols, flavanols, theobromine, minerals (magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, potassium), proanthocyanidins, catechins, caffeine, xanthines, lipids, carbohydrates
Uses
Antioxidant benefits, especially in relation to skin and heart health.
Cacao flavonoids and polyphenols’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have the potential to decrease photodamage and wrinkle formation.
Research has found that the flavanols present in cacao aid in the production of nitric oxide in the inner lining of blood vessels, which helps with lowering blood pressure.
Cacao contains high amounts of copper and magnesium, which are necessary for protein synthesis, energy production, and glucose metabolism.
Source of iron, which is used by our body to make the proteins hemoglobin (carries oxygen around the body) and myoglobin (provides oxygen to muscles), as well as some hormones.
Cacao flavanols, the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin (natural mood stabiliser) and its caffeine content may have positive effects on mood and symptoms of depression.
Interesting facts
Cacao beans were precious to the Aztecs and Mayans; they used them as special gifts, offerings to the gods, currency and to pay taxes.
Cacao trees are evergreen and typically grow within 20 degrees of the equator - it is a narrow strip of land known as the “cocoa belt” that hosts optimal weather for their growth.
The Cacao tree grows between 5-8 meters in height, however, it can occasionally grow upwards of 20 meters in competition for sunlight.
The tree produces flowers directly on its trunk and branches, each flower usually lasts only a day.
Its Latin name Theobroma translates as ‘food of the gods’.
In the UK, there are six cacao trees on display at Kew Gardens’ Palm House and Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Sustainability
Higher average temperatures and prolonged droughts have made growing cacao progressively difficult, leading to increased farming and deforestation which further escalate undesirable environmental impacts.
Child labor is frequently used in the production of cacao.
Ethical consumption of cacao products is possible; there is information available online to help us choose (more) sustainable options.
Vegan Face Mask
2 tsp cacao powder
3 tsp oatmeal powder
3 tsp water (or enough to make a creamy paste)
1 tbsp slices of ripe banana (optional)
Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix to create consistent creamy paste.
Apply on the face and gently massage to exfoliate the dead skin cell layer.
Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
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If some of the paste is unused, you can safely store it in the fridge and use it the following day