The cocoa trees were found natively along the Amazonas River, and in Central and South America, originating three important varieties, the “Criollo”, the “Forastero” and the “Trinitario”. The “Criollo” spread to the north, reaching Central America and South of Mexico.
The “Forastero” spread through Amazonia Rain forest and Guianas, and this one is considered the truly Brazilian cocoa. The “Trinitario” is the result of crossing between the “Criollo” and the “Forastero”. It was originated in Trinidad and Tobago (Central America), by the plantation of the “Forastero” after a hurricane destroyed the “Criollo” plantation.
Some year later the cocoa was brought to Africa and to the Asian southeast that started to be the world leaders in cocoa production.
One of the characteristics of the cocoa tree is the fact that the flowers sprout directly from the trunk and the fact that is possible to find flowers, green fruit and ripe simultaneously. Its fruits are shining, and features a wide variety of colors, ranging from yellow to shades of orange, red and even purple, contrasting with the green of the forest.
The cocoa is a delicate and sensitive tree. The flavor of its beans is strongly influenced by the environment where they are produced, that can be called an identity of origin.
To make handmade chocolate is to make the alchemy of cocoa beans transform into strongly scented fluids which inebriates us.
Its fragrances,and flavors takes one back to the ancient sacred rituals of the Olmecs, Aztecs and Mayans. Divine and mystical potions, "Drink of the Gods".
A source of strength and vigor.
Our chocolate is handmade with only two ingredients: cocoa beans and brown sugar, allowing the climate of each season being present in unique and incomparable flavors.
The beans used in the manufacturing of chocolate is grown on the Bela Campina farm, located in Gandu, Bahia and Brazil, in the Atlantic Forest. We take care of all stages of production (from the beans to the chocolate). They are made using a selection of our best fruit, harvested at the same degrees of ripeness and free from any drilling of disease, following a careful process of fermentation and dried in solar greenhouses, preserving the environment, because we don’t use burning of firewood. Our chocolate is made with high cocoa content, without lactose, gluten or preservatives, for people that seeks a healthier life and want to enjoy the true taste.
This chocolate is good everyone knows, but what you may not know is that regular and moderate consumption of chocolate with higher cocoa concentration can bring a number of benefits to your body. As follow:
1 - The Circulatory and Cardiac systems, due to the action of flavonoids, substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks
2 - It combat the bad cholesterol (LDL) through the action of flavonoids, stimulating the liver to capture the excess of LDL cholesterol from the blood. Chocolate stimulates the increase of good cholesterol and combats the bad cholesterol.
3 - It protects against memory loss, contributes to a better oxygenation in the brain, favoring an improvement in cognitive function, and contains substances such as caffeine, theobromine, and tyramine, leaving the brain “smarter”.
4 - Anti-aging action, due to the great amount of antioxidants, increases the number and strength of neuron connections, reducing neuronal loss attributed to neurodegeneration.
5 - Anti depressants, chocolate contains multiple components associated with mood enhancement, including phenyl ethylamine, which contributes to release endorphins and serotonin, that is responsible for promoting a feeling of pleasure and well-being.
6 - Combats stress, several studies linking chocolate consumption to a significant reduction in cortisol hormone levels, which is associated with stress.
7 - Combats Diabetes, because plenty of flavonoids (epicatechin and catechin) make body cells more sensitive to insulin hormone action and controlling blood glucose.
8 - Prevents cancer progressing, due to procyanidin flavonoid presence, which is an antioxidant that frees the body of substances that can cause cellular changes responsible for
9 - Weight maintenance, flavonoid catechin helps increases muscle mass and promotes fat loss. In addition, contain vitamins (A, B complex, C, D and E), minerals (potassium, copper, iron, magnesium) and is rich in fibers.
10 - Fatigue reduction, this reduces chronic fatigue symptoms, characterized by generalized fatigue. Chocolate contains stimulating substances such as caffeine.
Note: our chocolate is an excellent request for those who are lactose intolerant, containing all the chocolate benefits with a higher concentration of cocoa without the harmful effects of fat derived from milk additions.
More info from the benefits listed in:
1. PANDURANGAN, A. K. et al. Dietary cocoa protects against colitis-associated cancer by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Biofactors; 41(1): 1-14, 2015.
2. FARIDI, Z. et al. Acute dark chocolate and cocoa ingestion and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 88
3. KHAN, N. et al.. Regular consumption of cocoa powder with milk increases HDL cholesterol and reduces oxidized LDL levels in subjects at high-risk of cardiovascular
disease. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis; 22(12): 1046-53, 2012.
4. SARRIÁ, B. et al. Regular consumption of a cocoa product improves the cardiometabolic profile in healthy and moderately Hypercholesterolemic adults. British
Journal of Nutrition; 111(1): 122-34, 2014.
5. DESIDERI, G. et al. Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) study. Hypertension; 60(3):
6. VAN WENSEM, J. Overview of scientific evidence for chocolate health benefits. Integr Environ Assess Manag; 11(1): 176-7, 2015.
7. FRAGA, C.G. Cocoa, diabetes, and hypertension: should we eat more chocolate? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 81 (3): 541-542, 2005.
Bahia Gourmet
Bertonis
Brisa Maritima
Casa de Noca
D'Chef
Degustar
DiThereza
Empório Natureba
Espaço Natural
Fazendinha
Florânia
Manjericão
Margarida
Meu Chef
Oliverde
Que Tal
Ramma
Savoy
Skilo
Supremo
Tatine
Tudo Verde
Valentinas
Veganza
Bella Campina Artisanal Chocolate is waiting for your contact for more info.
Submit your doubts, comments or suggestions.
Thanks for visiting our site!
Phone
+55 71 99980-2352
E-mail
contato@bellacampina.com.br