Cacao -Symbol of fertility and life-

Other names: Chocolate tree

Botanical name: Theobroma Cacao (Sterculiaceae)

THE VALUABLE GIFT FROM THE GODS FOR JOY, PLEASURE AND POWER OF LOVE FOR MAN

Cacao is a fantastic tropical fruit tree symbolizing fertility and life. Being small in the tropical scale, the pretty tree only grows about 10 m (33 ft) tall. The Latin name Theobroma means food of the gods. The Mayan believed that the gods found the Cacao tree and gave it to man as a present. Used in food, drinks, rituals, even as a form of currency, the Cacao tree was a remarkable tree in Mayan and Aztec culture.

THE SWEET FLOWERS AND LOVELY FRUITS

Cacao blooms and bears fruit from September to May. The tree provides fruits after the age of 4. The graceful, white flowers grow in clusters directly from the trunk. The fruits are light green, but turn yellow or purple as they ripen. Cacao fruits vary in size, but usually reach a length of 15-30 cm (6-12 inch), and each fruit contains approximately 20-50 cacao beans. The fruit flesh is very tasty even as such and the delicious white juice could be called “the nectar of the gods”. Cacao beans are used to make chocolate, and it was the Mayan and the Aztecs who invented the hot chocolate drink. They mixed cacao beans in hot water and enjoyed the refreshing drink with vanilla and honey.

THE TENDERLY CARING TREE

The Cacao tree is nature’s fantastic mix of good feelings, beauty and health. Cocoa butter is used in cosmetics and medicine, for the butter has an effect of healing wounds. The cocoa bean contains numerous astonishing elements, such as theobromine- a stimulant, phenyl ethylamine- “the love chemical”, serotonin- depression-preventing, tryptophan- relaxing and pain-relieving and nature’s endorphin: anandamine which produces “chocolate high”. Cocoa beans also contain vitamin A, B, E and C as well as several important minerals.