Chocolate
GRO chocolates are crafted using hand selected superior cacao beans from Central and South America. They are ground right at the cafe and we add beneficial herbs to produce an incredibly delicious truly living chocolate.
Chocolate is truly a gift. The cacao bean is one of the most nutritionally beneficial foods we have available to us. The products of this tropical tree have played many roles throughout the centuries. In 1753, Carl Linnaeus father of taxonomy, designated the chocolate tree Theobroma cacao, which translates to “food of the gods.” Several hundred years later, chocolate lovers would agree with this appellation. The Aztecs used cacao beans as currency, food and as a medicinal drink for the privileged. Montezuma was said to have consumed over 50 chocolate beverages a day. Chocolate in its raw form is still highly regarded for its medicinal and spiritual uses and chocolate ceremonies led by Shaman are currently practiced in remote parts of Central and South America. The introduction of the chocolate beverage to Europe was by spanish conquistadors. Chocolate was used in the European medical system of the time; those who could afford it used chocolate as a tonic and remedy.
Chocolate is mostly eaten because its incredibly delicious. The benefits of enjoying dark, organic and minimally processed chocolate are incredible as chocolate is extremely high in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Some research suggests chocolate is healthy because it contains high levels of antioxidants, but don't believe the clever marketing, even if the dark chocolate is 100% pure it is usually processed beyond its ability to retain most of its natural antioxidants, Phenylethelamine ( da love chemical) and other nutrients and amazingly magic qualities science cant explain. Try a GRO chocolate and experience chocolate BLISS!
The chocolate tree comes from Central and South America. The three main varieties of cacao beans used in chocolate are criollo, which is the rarest and most expensive, forastero is the most common wild and cultivated variety, and trinitario is a low grade hybrid of the two. GRO never uses trinitaro beans. We create our chocolates from hand-selected superior cacao beans in Central America, grind them in-house and add local Maine honey and herbs to produce an incredibly delicious and truly healthy living chocolate.
PLEASE HELP END CHILD SLAVERY!
Food sovereignty is a cornerstone of freedom. Most Chocolate found in US stores are made from trinitario beans. Not only are these African grown beans inferior in quality their cultivation promotes the exploitation of children through child slavery. Please enjoy mindful consumption by boycotting corporations such as: Nestlee, Hersheeys, Cadburyy, and otherrs like them. We are all in this together we are glad to be on your side.
Chocolate Nutrition:
Fat
Cocoa beans contain approximately 50% fat. It is primarily comprised of two saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) and one mono-unsaturated acid (oleic acid). Cocoa butter and chocolate do not raise blood cholesterol. However, when consuming milk chocolate or lower grade chocolate where a part of the total fat content comes from milk fat or various other types of fat, the cholesterol level might be adversely affected.