Food for the Gods
Bakery Review|December 2021 - January 2022
Cocoa has a high food value, containing as much as 20 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrate, and 40 percent fat. It is also mildly stimulating because of the presence of theobromine, an alkaloid that is closely related to caffeine.
Food for the Gods

The ‘food of the gods’, as cocoa was called 500 years ago when the Spanish came upon it in South America, remains a precious commodity. Apart from the food value of cocoa products and the tempting flavour, the health giving factors are too many to be ignored. Research has been done on the action of cocoa products on many life-threatening and debilitating diseases.

Origin

Cacao is the seed of a fruit of an Amazonian tree that was brought to Central America during or before the time of the Olmecs. Cocao beans were so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they used them as money. In 1753 Carl von Linnaeus, the Swedish scientist, thought that cocao was so important that he named the genus and species of this tree himself. He named this tree: Theobroma cacao, which literally means “cacao, the food of the gods.”

The perennial that yields several harvests annually, the cacao or cocoa tree was brought from South America and introduced into Europe during the 16th century and today grown chiefly in western Africa. Cocoa trees belong to the family Sterculiaceae. The common cocoa tree is classified as Theobroma cocoa. Being of a very delicate and sensitive nature, the cocoa tree needs protection from wind and requires a fair amount of shade, especially in its first four years of growth. With pruning and careful cultivation, the trees of most strains will begin bearing fruit in the fifth year.

The average cocoa tree attains a height of about 20 feet, has shiny leaves as long as 12 inches and small pink flowers on the trunk and older branches. Only about 30 of the 6000 annual blossoms eventually bear seeds. Commonly called cocoa beans, the seeds are surrounded by a yellow or reddish-brown pod up to 12 inches long. Cocoa beans are either purple or off-white and resemble almonds.

From Cocoa to Chocolate

This story is from the December 2021 - January 2022 edition of Bakery Review.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2021 - January 2022 edition of Bakery Review.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BAKERY REVIEWView All
Culinary Odyssey with Star-Studded Chef's Table Event
Bakery Review

Culinary Odyssey with Star-Studded Chef's Table Event

UNOX, one of the leading Italian brands, designers, and manufacturers of commercial ovens, providing a solution for every sector in the food industry, has reaffirmed its commitment to culinary excellence in India with a spectacular Chef's Table event at Cafe Panama in Mumbai, where Chef Dev Singh Negi, the renowned chef of Cafe Panama, hosted the event. The UNOX Chef's Table event featured a remarkable menu crafted and prepared by six celebrated chefs, each wielding the unparalleled power of UNOX combi ovens.

time-read
2 mins  |
October - November 2023
Third Wave Coffee Introduces New Culinary Creations
Bakery Review

Third Wave Coffee Introduces New Culinary Creations

Third Wave Coffee, a coffee first QSR chain introduced an all-new menu, an extensive selection of culinary delights, include an extensive array of gastronomic delights that span multiple sub-categories, ranging from bagels and sandwiches to wraps, toasties, pancakes, hummus and pita, desserts, and more-a delightful augmentation to their existing range of culinary creations.

time-read
1 min  |
October - November 2023
Tough Challenges to Sweetness
Bakery Review

Tough Challenges to Sweetness

In life success comes often with a price, and the fragrance of rose is often accompanied by thorns. Similarly, in bakeries sweetness arrives at the taste buds after chartering successfully through a series of operational challenges and worries. Behind the glamour and creativity of bakery industry often lie grinding hard work and thoughtful planning.

time-read
7 mins  |
October - November 2023
Say Cheese to Parmesan
Bakery Review

Say Cheese to Parmesan

Produced in and around Parma, Reggio Made from raw cow's milk, ParmigianoPEmilia, Modena and Bologna (all in Reggiano is made by mixing the morning Lombardia), Italy, Parmigiano-Reggiano, commonly known as Parmesan in English, is a hard, cooked, granular cheese.

time-read
4 mins  |
October - November 2023
Tiered for Celebrations
Bakery Review

Tiered for Celebrations

Inspired by the spire of a church and triggered by a baker's urgent need to express love, tiered cakes have gained currency over the years as they add extravaganza to an occasion

time-read
6 mins  |
October - November 2023
Whipping up the Cream
Bakery Review

Whipping up the Cream

Whipped cream is used as an integral ingredient in a number of bakery items.

time-read
4 mins  |
October - November 2023
For Success in Bakery Business
Bakery Review

For Success in Bakery Business

The Indian bakery business is going through an impressive growth phase habits of people, bakery products have gained popularity among the masses of India.

time-read
8 mins  |
October - November 2023
Cocky Cookies
Bakery Review

Cocky Cookies

Cookies which come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, colours and flavours have been proving popular with consumers of all ages. And their popularity has risen over the last couple of years when the people were forced to work from home during the pandemic.

time-read
7 mins  |
October - November 2023
Mama Mia! Its Pizza Italiana!
Bakery Review

Mama Mia! Its Pizza Italiana!

Pizza, an international snack which has become extremely popular in India, is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% during 2023-2028. IMARC contributes this to the increasing adoption of Western dietary habits, the growing number of manufacturers financing promotional activities and the expansion of pizza chains. India is believed to have an insatiable appetite for pizzas.

time-read
9 mins  |
October - November 2023
NRI Chaiwala Expands in North India
Bakery Review

NRI Chaiwala Expands in North India

NRI Chaiwala announced the expansion of its footprints in North India with the opening of its new outlets in Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu.

time-read
1 min  |
October - November 2023