Category Archives: Cocoa (Theobroma cacao)

The Fermentation of Cocoa

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Robert Barrington

One of the key stages in the preparation of cocoa as a food product is the fermentation of the cocoa beans. This step is necessary to turn the indigestible and difficult to use cocoa beans into a usable powder that … Continue reading →

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Tea, Coffee or Cocoa

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Tea, coffee and cocoa are popular drinks. Tea is the second most commonly drunk beverage in the world after water. As well as being pleasant to drink and possessing psychological benefits due to the comfort they provide, particularly on a … Continue reading →

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Cocoa as a Mood Enhancing Drink

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Cocoa is a drink that has been extensively researched for its health effects. Cocoa is thought to be healthy because of the phytochemicals it contains. In particular, cocoa contains a group of flavonoid polymers called proanthocyanidins that may act as … Continue reading →

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Cocoa as a Mood Enhancer

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Robert Barrington
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Cacao versus Cocoa

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Robert Barrington

Cacao and cocoa are derived from the Theobroma cacao plant. Both are made from the beans the plant produces. Cacao differs from cocoa in that it is less processed and thus resembles more the content of the original bean. Studies … Continue reading →

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Cacao Beans, Cocoa and Antioxidants

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Robert Barrington

Cocoa powder is a processed derivative of the Theobroma cacao plant. Cocoa is made by roasting and grinding the beans, a process that is similar to making ground coffee from the coffee bean. The roasting of the beans is a … Continue reading →

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How to Make Tea, Coffee and Cocoa Unhealthy Drinks

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Robert Barrington

There are many healthy drinks that have been shown to possess significant health benefits. Tea, coffee and cocoa all possess high levels of antioxidants. The high levels of antioxidants in these drinks may be the reason for the health benefits … Continue reading →

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Cocoa Polyphenols and Their Effect on Mood

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Cocoa is a rich source of a group of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins may have particular physical and mental health effects. In terms of the latter, consumption of proanthocyanidins is associated with improvements in mood state. For example, in one … Continue reading →

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The Calming Effect of Cocoa

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Cocoa is a refreshing hot drink that contains the methylxanthine theobromine. Methylxanthines are considered stimulants, but theobromine is perhaps the least stimulating of the methylxanthines found in nature. For example, the caffeine in tea and coffee, and the theophylline in … Continue reading →

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The Beneficial Effects of Chocolate

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Robert Barrington

Chocolate is a confectionery food, most commonly made with cocoa and sugar. The sugar to cocoa ratio is pivotal in determining whether chocolate is a healthy food or not. For example, milk chocolate has a high sugar content and a … Continue reading →

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