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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Cacao :: Food of the Gods
A visit to someone's home was so very rewarding. She was showing her many fruit plants and pointed to the cacao tree. I was thrilled. Loving chocolate and raw cacao this was very special to me.
Cacao pods grow randomly out of the tree trunk. Out of little clusters of flowers they become the fruit or pod. Each pod may contain 20-60 beans.
The scientific name Theobroma means "food of the gods". At one point the Aztec empire used cacao beans as currency. The buying power of quality beans was such that 80-100 beans could buy a new cloth mantle.
Cacao is very high in minerals. The shell of the pod is strong, protecting this special food, needing a good knife to open it. Each bean is covered with a white pulp. To make chocolate this pulp is dried off and the bean is exposed and goes through processes.
I was given three cacao pods, yes I was definitely very happy. The fruit is not sweet. The texture and the gentle bitternes of the nibs are exotically wonderful. I am so grateful to have this experience of eating "food of the gods".
Cacao pods grow randomly out of the tree trunk. Out of little clusters of flowers they become the fruit or pod. Each pod may contain 20-60 beans.
The scientific name Theobroma means "food of the gods". At one point the Aztec empire used cacao beans as currency. The buying power of quality beans was such that 80-100 beans could buy a new cloth mantle.
Cacao is very high in minerals. The shell of the pod is strong, protecting this special food, needing a good knife to open it. Each bean is covered with a white pulp. To make chocolate this pulp is dried off and the bean is exposed and goes through processes.
I was given three cacao pods, yes I was definitely very happy. The fruit is not sweet. The texture and the gentle bitternes of the nibs are exotically wonderful. I am so grateful to have this experience of eating "food of the gods".
Friday, March 13, 2009
Avocados
Avocados are in abundance now in Bahia, Brazil. I am gratefully accepting these green gems as gifts. Eating them in salads or just cutting it in half (eating both halves) adding lime juice and salt or Spike. Loving it.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Bahia Salad
At a favorite restaurant this is one of my favorite salads in Bahia, Brazil. Arugula, pineapple, mango, sundried tomatoes and a little buffalo cheese in it. Olive oil and salt on it and it is such a refreshing meal. Coconut water on the side. Perfect!
Have been having fun using the camera on the iphone. Downloaded the Sepia app camera.
I like the sepia tone of the coconut pic.
Have been having fun using the camera on the iphone. Downloaded the Sepia app camera.
I like the sepia tone of the coconut pic.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Jack Fruit
This is a fruit you learn to love. In the beginning I had a few pieces. Then it just grew on me. Now when we have it I eat a lot of it. It's quite a large fruit. Many large seeds with pulp around it. Next time I will take a picture with an open one. This was taken today at the Sunday mercado. Right now it is in season here in Bahia, Brazil. Here is some information on it.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Gold Green, Ouro Verde
I decided to call this dish Gold Green because I saw a sign of a store here in Brazil called, "Ouro Verde" of the same meaning. To me it sounded so strong and healthy. Fresh fruit salad with some fresh orange juice in it and I sprinkle green superfood over it. It looks somewhat swampy with little nuggets of gold sticking out of it. Good alternative for a smoothie.
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