ORGANIC CACAO, butter

Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao (pronounce kah-kow)Country of Origin: PeruProduction: After the ripe pod has been cut from the tree, it is opened, the rind discarded, and the pulp and seeds laid out for several days. During this time the pulp liquefies or “sweats” and fermentation starts, which softens the bitter taste and helps to unlock the full aroma of the cacao bean. This fermentation process is usually followed by gently roasting the beans to enhance the chocolate aroma. The beans are then crushed and their thin skins removed so that only pieces or “nibs” remain. Cacao nibs are then ground into a thick brown liquid called cacao paste (aka cacao mass or liquor) which is made up of cacao butter (55-60%) and suspended fine cacao particles. This cacao paste is subsequently pressed until it separates into cacao butter and a cacao “cake” which is then ground to produce cacao powder.Qualities: Cacao butter, also known as theobroma oil, is a stable, edible vegetable fat derived from caca