It takes 5 years for a cocoa tree to produce its first seed pods.
It takes about 400 beans to make a pound of chocolate.
December 13th is National Cocoa Day.
Chocolate has properties that combat Heart disease; thanks to flavanoids from the cocoa plant.
The ancient tribes, of the Maya Indians, were the first to discover the wonderful enchanting properties of the cocoa bean around the year 600 AD.
Christopher Columbus, in 1502, was thought to have brought cocoa beans to King Ferdinand, during his fourth trip from the New World.
Cocoa was exported to Europe in 1585 but the first chocolate bar was not made until 1848.
The first chocolate house for the United States was established in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Throughout the world the annual cocoa production is 3 million tons.
Length of time required for a cocoa tree to produce its first beans (pods): five years.
Watching your caffeine intake? An ounce of semi-sweet dark chocolate has only 20 milligrams on average, about the same amount as three ounces of brewed regular tea.
How to make Hot Cocoa
Ingredients
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% or greater)
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or turbinado sugar)
3 tablespoons powdered milk
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Recipe
Chop the chocolate: Chop the bittersweet chocolate finely. Measure out all the other ingredients.
Mix the cocoa ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together ingredients. Make sure to incorporate the salt and powdered milk thoroughly.
Store in an airtight jar: Pour mixture into airtight jar for storage. Store at room temperature for up to 3 months.
To make the cocoa: Get out a heavy-bottomed pan. Measure out 3 tablespoons of your mix and add it to 1 cup of milk (or soy/nut milk or water). Gently warm over medium heat and whisk to incorporate the mix into the milk.
Serve the hot cocoa: Pour the hot chocolate into serving cup (s) and enjoy immediately. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon if you'd like.
