From Cacao

to Chocolate

Theobroma, cacao’s scientific name, means ‘the food and

drink of the gods’

After sugar and coffee, cacao is the third most valued

world food commodity.

Cacao Around The World

• Cacao is native to the Americas and was found growing wild in the Amazon River Basin.

• Cacao was so valued by Aztec and Mayan cultures, the beans were used as currency.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CACAO:

Cacao is a sustainable option for farmers, providing

income while avoiding

deforestation.

A well maintained

farm can produce cacao all year round.

CACAO: A Friend of Biodiversity

The Cacao Tree

BLOSSOM

BUD

PODS

Bocas Peace Corps Volunteers are

working to increase cacao

yields by training farmers in

pruning, grafting and disease

control techniques.

Cacao production can

be increased through grafting

trees that are disease resistant

and produce more pods.

FROM CACAO POD TO CHOCOLATE

HARVEST

DRYING & FERMENTATION

TOASTING & PEELING

HAND GRINDING& SHAPING

In order for this chocolate to make it from a Panamanian farm to your mouth,

cacao must be:

• harvested,• fermented for 5 to 7 days, • dried in sun for 20hrs, • toasted to perfection• hand peeled• and ground.

• Fine chocolate is made by grinding and pressing cacao beans, adding cacao butter extracted from other beans,

and then heating the mixture to 135° F and cooling it to 90° F.

Cacao Market

Las Chocolateras de Valle Las Perlas

• The complex flavor of chocolate is created through the processing of

cacao. • The result is 550 flavor compounds.

• A carrot has only 96.

FUN FACT:

The Kuna Study•Flavanols: epicatechin and procyanidins improve blood vessel functions.

CACAO HEALTH BENEFITS

• High in Antioxidants (flavanols)• Blood Pressure Benefits• Lower LDL Cholesterol• Natural Anti-Depressant• Cancer Fighter

CACAO HEALTH BENEFITS

• Prevents Tooth Decay• Longer Life and Less Disease• High in Magnesium• Artery Cleanup• Brain Health

CACAO HEALTH BENEFITS

• "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then

doesn't hurt."

- Charles M. Schulz