Kids can eat one ounce of dark chocolate a day with a 70-87% cacao for good health! Ancient Mayan healers proclaimed chocolate as being essential for good health and a cure for many illnesses. Scientists today have proven they were correct about cacao, but not about chocolate candy or other chocolate confectionaries, as these are processed with lots of sugar and added ingredients. Kids can use less organic cacao powder than processed chocolate in baking and cooking and get more nutrients and an amazing rich chocolate flavor.
The cacao bean is rich in fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that help regenerate cell growth and guard the body against diseases, keeping blood vessels healthy and decreasing inflammation. The higher the percentage cacao the more flavanols is in the chocolate. Cacao also contains caffeine, so chocolate should not be eaten before bedtime.
Cacao trees grow in the tropical rainforests of the world. Their seeds are fermented, dried, cleaned, roasted, and shelled, to produce the nibs, which are crushed to form a chocolate liquor or paste. To create eating chocolate, manufacturers process the cacao with extra cocoa butter, sugar, lecithin, dairy products, flavorings, and additives. Kids can use the purer form of chocolate, organic cocao powder, in their pies, cakes, and brownies for a bigger flavor punch, a more tender texture, and an intense chocolate flavor.
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