How to make real chocolate and its health benefits

The practice of turning cocoa beans into chocolate is not new, nor is it from the last century. Indeed, the inhabitants

pre-Columbians of Mesoamerica

he already knew the flavor and power of cocoa beans. Yes, the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs already knew how to make chocolate. But not in the way you might think. At that time, the

the chocolate was drunk

. In other words, the cocoa fruit was fermented, processed and then mixed with chilli pepper, water and cornmeal, giving rise to a

folder

. While the ingredients are different, the process hasn’t changed much since then. That

chocolate

, meaning bitter (tchocol) with water (ath), was brought to Spain, where it received sometimes sugar, sometimes honey to combat the bitterness. It wasn’t long before the entire ancient continent was conquered by the new discovery. And after Europe came the whole world. Centuries have passed and chocolate remains one of the

favorite desserts

all over the planet. Whether it’s in the form of a bar, candy, filling or powder, it always tops the confectionery chart, regardless of time or place.

How is real chocolate made?

Cocoa beans must be ground to form cocoa mass – Photo: Shutterstock

If you always buy ready-made chocolate in specialty shops or at the market, you must have already been intrigued by the

method of preparation
of delicacy

. Although a long time has passed, the process used by pre-Columbian peoples remains much the same. Just a lot more automated! Do you want to understand how all stages of chocolate processing take place? So pay attention to this explanation here:

• It all starts with the cocoa plant and its fruits, which are harvested and selected
• Subsequently, the seeds are fermented for days and are called almonds.
• The beans then pass to the drying phase, which occurs naturally with the heat of the sun.
• They are then selected, i.e. by size and quality, as well as being separated from any impurities.
• Now the production of chocolate actually begins with the roasting, cooling and shelling of the almonds.
• The grinding takes place with the cocoa beans, which transforms them into cocoa mass or liqueur.

The next steps depend on the

manufacturer, type and quality of chocolate

! But some processes are more common in the production of chocolates

• pressing almonds to extract the cocoa butter (used to make white chocolates)
• refining almonds after grinding to give rise to the cocoa massyou (used to make milk, bittersweet and semisweet chocolates)
• bombingwith the addition of other ingredients depending on the chocolate (cocoa butter for the white; milk for the milk; and sugar for the milk and the white)
• temper be pre-crystallised and be at the ideal molding point
• That’s it, now all that remains is to shape it into bars or the desired shape, wait for it to harden and distribute it in the points of sale!

How to make real chocolate?

The chocolate industry has its own methods of producing a quality product for its customers around the world. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to prepare the

real chocolate

in a homely way. Making cocoa chocolate at home can be time consuming. However, you can do it by following a few steps. Check out the preparation method below and try playing at home! You will only need three main ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of raw cocoa beans
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar or other natural sweetener
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Method of preparation:

1. Start by roasting the cocoa beans in the oven at 120°C for around 20-30 minutes until crispy
2. Remove the husks from the toasted seeds by rubbing them between your hands.
3. Place the cocoa beans in a food processor and blend until they turn into a paste. This process can take 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Add the coconut sugar and sea salt to the cocoa mass, then blend again until everything is well blended. You can also add other ingredients like cinnamon or vanilla if you like.
5. Put the mixture in a bowl and bring it to a bain-marie, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts and becomes homogeneous.
6. Then pour the melted chocolate into a mold and let it cool and harden.
7. If you prefer, you can add nuts, dried fruit or other toppings before the chocolate sets.

Suggestions:

• Keep in mind that cocoa has a natural bitter taste, so you can adjust the amount of sugar or other sweeteners to get the taste you want.
• Also, the texture and texture of homemade chocolate can vary depending on the manufacturing process.

Health benefits of chocolate

It is possible to make real chocolate at home in just a few steps – Photo: Shutterstock

But in addition to being extremely tasty, chocolate also has numerous health benefits. Eliane Veronez, nutritional supervisor at the HSANP hospital, points out that one of the qualities of sweets is to stimulate

release of endorphins

in the brain. Let’s explain: it is the hormone responsible for providing a feeling of pleasure, increasing relaxation and reducing anxiety. According to the specialist, cocoa beans are rich in

flavonoids

, which stimulate the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels. As a result, vasodilation occurs, which lowers blood pressure. Also, chocolate has

antioxidant properties

which help speed up the metabolism, reduce insulin resistance and also reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Another benefit is improved mood, which can be brought about by the mediation of the dopamine and opiate systems. “OR

bitter chocolate

it has nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins and minerals such as magnesium, copper, iron, selenium, potassium and manganese. But I’m the

active principles

which make them more beneficial”, underlines Veronez. Despite this, nothing to think that we can exaggerate in consumption, eh! The nutritionist recommends the consumption of only

30 grams

of chocolate per day. Comes from

bitter chocolate

. “To be able to take advantage of all the benefits of chocolate, it is recommended to have it

70% cocoa

in its composition. The higher the cocoa concentration, the lower the sugar content of the food, therefore, the greater the benefits,” he explains.

Collaboration

: Eliane Veronez, Nutritional Supervisor at HSANP Hospital (CRN3-41875). Postgraduate in Clinical Nutrition and MBA in Hospital Management.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.