Chocolate – comes from the seeds of the cacao or chocolate tree. The Greek name is Theobroma cacao Linnaeus and means the food of the gods.The chocolate tree produces large pods containing 30 to 40 bitter seeds imbedded in a sweet sticky pulp.

The sticky pulp was a staple food of the Mayans 2000 years ago and both the Mayans and the Aztecs used the seeds to make a chocolate drink.

Once the pods are split open and the cacao beans removed, they are then fermented, dried, and roasted to develop the bean’s flavour. Fermentation activated enzymes that create the beginnings of chocolate as we know it.

Why do some foods like chocolate, wine or cheese taste so delicious? Fermenting magically transforms their original ingredients into something more desirable. Besides improving flavour, some soured and fermented foods such as yogurts, kefir and  sauerkraut also strengthens the immune system