Roasted Cocoa Beans

What is the roasted cocoa bean?

It is the cocoa tree that offers us this delicious cocoa bean. This bean has been used since ancient times by the Aztecs, and it was their god Quetzacoatl who taught men, according to mythology, to cultivate the cocoa tree. We can only thank him for this in view of the pleasure that the roasted cocoa bean and its many variations offer us today. However, we could have missed this gustatory treasure. Why should we? For two reasons. On the one hand, when the Aztecs presented the cocoa bean to Christopher Columbus, he did not recognize its ability to feed and delight. Then it was King Louis XIV who tasted chocolate and did not appreciate it. It was not until the 20th century that chocolate truly found its place in our culture. Now we can appreciate the taste and the virtues of the roasted cocoa bean. I have found for you a cocoa bean from the Ivory Coast, you will love its power.

What is the flavor of the roasted cocoa bean?

My premium roasted cocoa bean has intense flavors and slightly burnt notes for a unique pleasure without added sugar. Here, you benefit from all the purity of cocoa.

The harvest of the roasted cocoa bean

The harvesting of the cocoa bean is an expert job that requires respecting several fundamental steps to ensure an exceptional taste. The cocoa bean blooms in the pods produced by the cocoa tree. Each pod contains rows of beans, up to 60, while each tree can host up to 150 pods each year. When the pod is ripe (it has a yellow color), it is picked with a pike pole, a tool that allows to reach the highest pods, a cocoa tree can reach 9 m high. Then, they are broken with an axe to reveal our famous cocoa beans. This step is called "shelling". The beans are then covered with mucilage, a white and sticky pulp. Then comes the fermentation stage during which the cocoa bean reveals its aromas. The mucilage becomes liquid and penetrates the seed. This stage lasts one week. The cocoa bean is then dried in the sun to reduce its high moisture content (about 60%). The drying process lasts one to two weeks depending on the weather and the humidity level reached. Brewed and calibrated, the cocoa beans are then roasted like coffee. The higher the heat during roasting, the more the chocolate loses its properties, it is an extremely subtle step.

How to use roasted cocoa beans?

The roasted cocoa bean can be eaten in the same way as an almond or a hazelnut. However, it is by integrating it in your various recipes that you will appreciate it even more. You can use it whole, grated, crushed, whatever, it will awaken your taste buds and those of your guests. The roasted cocoa bean being a raw product, it is not sweetened. Therefore, it can be perfectly combined with all your preparations.

Our recipe ideas with roasted cocoa beans

The starter: cheese pie and roasted cocoa bean

Cocoa is quite surprising, it is able to combine with many ingredients. This is the case with cheese. I invite you to try a sheep's tomme pie sprinkled with roasted cocoa bean chips. In this tart, you can combine the cheese with tomato, zucchini or any other sunny vegetable. It is the presence of the cocoa bean on your pie that will awaken your taste buds.

The dish: tournedos with roasted cocoa beans

I suggest you try a tournedos with potatoes, a dish that seems quite traditional. The craziness comes from the cocoa sauce that you will make to accompany this dish. Heat your tournedos in a frying pan and place the fat in a saucepan. Add crushed cocoa beans and veal stock, even a few drops of red wine, it's simply amazing.

The dessert: tiramisu with cocoa beans

It remains more classic to find the cocoa in dessert. This time, I propose a tiramisu, but not a classic tiramisu. Make a red fruit tiramisu on which you will sprinkle fine roasted cocoa bean chips. Its strength will contrast with the sweetness of the red fruits and the mascarpone.

The health benefits of roasted cocoa beans

Cocoa is a delicacy for most of us. But it is also a very healthy ingredient. What could be more pleasant than to treat yourself while preserving your well-being? First of all, the roasted cocoa bean is the partner of your diet. Indeed, you get all the pleasure of cocoa without adding sugar. It even helps limit fat storage. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, it is perfect for cardiovascular health, blood pressure, cholesterol and immune system strengthening. Eating cocoa beans also helps reduce stress, so why deprive yourself? Cocoa is also invigorating and euphoric, even aphrodisiac according to some. The cocoa bean is rich in theobromine, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, polyphenols and flavonoids, a real cocktail of well-being.

The conservation of the roasted cocoa bean

The roasted cocoa bean should preferably be kept in a dry place away from the light.