Moments with Yaya
Chocolate
Yaya licks her lips and her fingers with pure indulgence. Chocolate smeared around her face and on her clothes, is the true marking of one happy child. Although chocolate treats are kept for special occasions, Yaya knows too much of this sweet delicacy can also make her feel ill. Yaya loves all kinds of chocolate. She loves chocolate cakes, biscuits, and even chocolate ice cream.
Chocolate has some interesting facts, which include the fact that it’s made from a cacao bean which grows on a tree. The real and scientific name for the tree is called Theobroma cacao. The history of chocolate goes back further than 2000 years. Its take about 500 cacao beans to make one single bar of chocolate and over 70% of the world’s cacao beans originate from Africa. In the old days, soldiers and farmers were paid with cacao beans, as they were worth an equivalent to money.
LEARN ABOUT CHOCOLATE
Making chocolate is a lengthy process and each slab is given great attention to detail. The farmers pick the cacao beans from the tree, and ferment them for weeks. When the cacao beans are very dry they are sent to the chocolate factory to be cleaned, roasted and cooked in very hot temperatures till they become a smooth dark chocolate. The cacao bean is actually very bitter tasting, but once the milk solids, sugar and flavourants are added, that is when you get that sweet, yummy taste.
The smell of chocolate can trigger your brain to relax, which is why eating chocolate makes you feel so good. There are thousands of different chocolate variations and flavours. Dark chocolate which isn’t a first choice for children because of its bitter taste, is actually a healthier option. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants which help with lowering the risk of heart disease and also improves blood flow. However, this is through eating in moderation of course. Milk chocolate and white or vanilla chocolate contains a blend of milk fats and solids, to give it a creamier and more pleasant taste. We also find chocolate products like hot chocolate, chocolate biscuits and liqueurs made from the cacao extracts. Too much of anything can be bad for you, and the same goes for large doses of chocolate which can cause migraines in certain people.
Although chocolate is appetising and extremely delightful for humans, it can be toxic and poisonous for dogs, cats and birds. Children who love to indulge in a good chocolate bar, just like Yaya, should choose healthier options such as chocolate with lower fats and sugar content, chocolate which has nuts and fruit and chocolate which has a lower caffeine content.
