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THE POSITIVE POWER OF RAW CACAO By Annalisa Rinaldi
The native civilisations in the tropics have long considered cacao as an energetic medicine and a source of spiritual wisdom. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs prepared concoctions with the ground raw beans, hot water, honey and chillies, which they used as elixirs for ceremonies and rituals. Cacao is extracted from the cocoa bean, which grows in tropical regions in America, Africa and Asia. Originally it is a wrinkled and shiny pod, with colours that change from yellow to red. Inside the pod a humid white pulp surrounds the beans, which are brown with violet hints – a colour that denotes the antioxidant powers they share with wine and blueberries. The beans have a bitter, earthy and sweet taste. Raw cacao is now on-trend. It is an alternative way to enhance your energy, and is perfect to enjoy at social events and parties, thanks to its stimulant and aphrodisiac effects, which help you to dance all night without getting tired. Among its many properties, it is an antidepressant and stimulates the formation of different neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, the hormones of happiness that regulate mood and boost sexual desire. The stimulating effect of cacao is due to theobromine, which enhances physical and mental energy. Unfortunately, common chocolate doesn’t have the benefits of raw cacao, 54 THE USHUAÏA MAGAZINE
RAW CACAO IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO ENHANCE YOUR ENERGY AND IS PERFECT TO ENJOY AT PARTIES, THANKS TO ITS STIMULANT AND APHRODISIAC EFFECTS given that most of its nutritional properties have been compromised due to the addition of sugar, lactose, preservatives and saturated fats. My advice is to substitute milk- and sugarfilled chocolate for a raw, organic version with low levels of added sugar. In this way you can enjoy all of cacao’s minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and flavonoids in their most potent form. CACAO SHOT RECIPE One spoonful of raw cacao powder. One spoonful of raw cacao nibs. Half a spoonful of coconut oil. One small spoonful of Ibiza honey. Lemon zest. A piece of ginger. A pinch of salt. A pinch of schisandra. Mix all of the ingredients and blend with warm water. Serve as a shot. Enjoy!
ANNALISA RINALDI Macrobiotic raw-food chef Annalisa shares her top nutrition tips for a healthy summer // Annalisa, chef de comida cruda y macrobiotica, comparte sus consejos nutricionales para un verano sano