Cacao benefits-
Helps nervous system
99% different from dark
chocolate - it is made from fermenting the beans and stone grinding -Minimal processing
Nothing added or removed from the beans
High in antioxidants- 40% more than blueberries
High in minerals-
Iron
More calcium than milk
Reduces inflammation
Improves energy No crashes
Magnesium - relaxing muscle system
Zinc
Improves cognitive function and creativity
Has the same health benefits as green tea
Sugar free
Fat free
Dairy free
Small amount of caffeine - 0-25 mg
Non addictive
No withdrawal systems
This little guy I picked up in the DR- he is holding the cacao bean.
Can you spot the difference??
Cacao pods are grown in agroforest
Harvested manually april- July
Cacao pods are cut in half, the pulp is extracted
Empty pods are used for fertilizer
They clean the beans and remove the placenta
The other waste is used for organic matter
Clean beans and pulp are taken to be fermented
Cacao bean fermentation is 6 days long
Wet beans are placed in dry boxes/containers
Fermentation kills germs
During fermentation bacteria and yeast react produce ethanol. Lactic, and acidic acids - along with uniformity fermentation
A cut test is done to check in the beans
A cacao rake is used on large wire beds to keep the the cacao moving the drying
Dried beans they are sorted and waste is removed
They are cleaned and shipped to chocolate makers
They are so well cleaned, they are roasted upon delivery for chocolate making.
The husks of the beans are use for tea.
Cacao is a fruit
Cacao is the bean where chocolate is from
Cacao is the husk of the bean that can be made into a tea- like the shell on a pistachio.
I bought this hot chocolate pitcher at a second hand store for $4. I looked and it is from William and Sonoma and is around $25.
I thought it would be great for my Passport to Tea 2023 class for the Dominican Republic class, because I would be serving Cacao Tea.
My friend added my logo to the pitcher, I just adore it!!!!
Typical Dominican teas
Onion tea for fall and winter-
Ginger
Red apple
Red onion
Garlic
Cinnamon
Lime
Honey
Water
Let simmer until red in color
I prefer Cacao tea!!!!
Cacao tea
Cacao
1/2 C water
1/2 C almond milk
Heat and mix
Milk frothed helps with creaminess
Can add spices - cardamom, ginger, cinnamon or chili
The Mayas and Aztecs where known for having a froth on top, mixing back and forth using a vase,
Later a monollio- wooden hand whisk
This is Cacao tea I picked up in the DR.
It the cacao shells that make the tea and it amazing how much it tastes like chocolate!
I had fun with the decor this time too.
Then I was in the DR there were flamingos- so I picked these guys up at the Dollar Store. We also drank out of coconuts, so I picked up the coconuts for cups this time. Everyone got to take home their straws from the class as well...I wasn't going to wash them and reuse them, lol.
I picked up some fun treats too. These cookies are from Jamaica and Mexico.
These cookies are from the DR- I picked them up at Jungle Jims. The Cacao treats are actually something I brought back from Punta Cana when I was there last year. The coconut, cacao treats were still just as good as I remembered.
I made a hibiscus tea for the class too. When I was in the DR there were lots of hibiscus everywhere. I decided it was fitting to serve the tea. While shopping in the store they sold hibiscus, but it was imported from Jamaica, so I am not sure if they harvest their own flowers or not.
I wore my, the Greenhouse, t-shirt. The Greenhouse is a cafe in the capitol where my church has a ministry. I have yet to visit the cafe, but others visited while we were there and they picked me up a t-shirt.
Flamingos and peacocks were the main birds I saw in Punta Cana.
I had such a great time using my William and Sonma hot coco pitcher for this cacao tea.
I had 4 for the 9 am class.
They don't look rowdy in these photos, but they are, lol!!!
Earl Grey was feeling needy. He went around and was taping people with his paw and asking for attention. He was cracking us up.
I found this Mr. Tea at the scratch and dent store. It is from Jamaica, so since it is beachy island I decided to serve it as well.
I had 9 for the 11 am class.
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Let me know if you want me to bring this class to you and your friends. For $5 a person I will bring Cacao and hibiscus tea to you and tell you about tea in the Dominican Republic.
I offer 12 different country tea classes, let me know if you want to come to me or you want me to come to you.
Prices subject to change in 2024
I have a Russian Tea, Chinese Tea, Taiwan Tea, Hong Kong Tea, Moroccan Tea, Dominican Republic Tea, Guinean Tea, Great Brittan Tea, Turkish Tea, Tea from India, Japanese Tea, and Thai Tea.
All classes are $5 a person except the Japanese Matcha class, Taiwan Bubble Tea Class, India Chai Class, and English tea class are all $10 a person.
Minimum for all the classes is 8 people, or $50... with a max of 20 people.
Tax is also charged.
And if I come to you there is .50 a mile fee.
Here are some photos of some of my classes...
