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What Does It Take To Make Chocolate ?

Chocolate has been around for many years. This was first used by the Native American civilizations as a refreshment but soon, this was developed into chocolate bars which we all eat today. But what does it take to make chocolate? Here are few things to give you the idea. First, chocolate is produced from cocoa beans that from the Theobroma cacao tree. In English, this term means тЂњfood for the GodsтЂќ because of its heavenly taste that the Aztec and Mayan civilizations have enjoyed for years. These degrees are harvested mainly from the Ghana and the Ivory Coast with some getting their supplies from other countries in South Africa and South America. The reason why chocolate is abundant is because the pods from these trees are produced all year long. There are three types that each have their own distinctive flavor namely Forastero, Criollo and Trinitario. Of the three, the most abundant among them is Forastero. Criollo on the other hand is very rare while Trinitario is a hybrid of the two. Harvesting the pods is usually done by hand with machetes. The farmers have to split open the pods to get to the cocoa beans. Afterwards, they scrape the pulp and beans from inside the pods and left to ferment in baskets from 2 to 8 days. Fermentation is important because without it, the beans inside would be too bitter to enjoy. After this process, the contents are spread in a single layer to dry usually under direct sunlight before this is packed and shipped to the buyer. Now you understand what farmers do, it is time to explain what the manufacturers do. Once the beans reach the factory, this is roasted and then transferred to a winnower. This machine removes the shell of the bean and leaves the тЂњnibsтЂќ which is what is used to making chocolate. This is then grounded and turned into a rich thick paste now called chocolate liquor. The liquor then undergoes one more process to remove the cocoa butter which has an end product known as тЂњcocoa presscakeтЂќ or cocoa powder and here, manufacturers decide what kind of chocolate to make. If the presscake is of low quality, this will have to be mixed with other ingredients like vegetable fats, sugar and artificial flavoring. If what they have is of good quality, then this will added again to chocolate liquor and other ingredients like milk, sugar and vanilla before this is transferred to a conching machine. The conching is considered to be the last step in screening the chocolate in order to get its ultimate flavor and texture. The speed, temperature and length of this process has a lot to do with the taste of the chocolate. Also, this helps remove any acidic tones. This is then tempered into a large machine which pours the chocolate into the mold. Once it is frozen, the bars are then packed and ready to be shipped off to the consumer. Now that you know what it takes to make chocolate, you can begin to appreciate what you buy whenever you go to the grocery store and buy a few of these as a snack. Some of these are cheap while others are expensive and it all boils down to what kind of cocoa tree was used to make the finished product. http://make-chocolates.blogspot.com

Homebrewing - Start All Grain Brewing - Part 2

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Benefits of Rooibos Extracts in Skin care

If you have not heard about Rooibos before, that is probably because it is grown in a small area in South Africa - the Cederberg region. This plant is commonly used to produce the redbush tea (or red tea).The plant is treated using oxidisation, which turns the leaves into reddish brown. Hence the name red tea. The color adds to the fragrance of the tea. Sometimes, the plants are processed in a different manner, which produces unoxidised green Rooibos. However, this process is more complicated, and therefore more costly. For this reason, green Rooibos is often more costly than the red tea leaves. Rooibos tea is well known for having large amounts of antioxidants, even more than the popular green tea. As we all know, antioxidants help to get rid of harmful toxins in the body. For those who are conscious about health, drinking tea on a regular basis is a must. Rooibos, like many types of tea leaves, have also been found to contain lots of antioxidants. In addition, unlike green tea, Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and has low levels of tannin, which can be found in black tea or green tea. Toxins are accumulated in the human body on a daily basis. Every single day, while we work and travel, we breath in or consume toxins unknowingly. They may be in the form of harmful gases such as carbon fumes (exuded by vehicles) or poisons such as pesticides. When consumed in small amounts, there is nothing to worry about because the body has natural defenses to fight against these toxins. However, if the level of toxins in the body is not regulated, the balance may be upset, which may lead to severe health problems. Therefore, it is always wise to consume a moderate amount of antioxidants, which can help reduce the amount of harmful poisons in the body. The goal is to help maintain the balance and keep the body healthy. That is why Rooibos is fast becoming a popular ingredient in Western countries. Due to the high amounts of antioxidants in the leaves, this ingredient helps the body to get rid of stubborn toxins that linger in the body.In addition, researchers have found that Rooibos helps to improve skin conditions as well. Besides being found in popular health foods, this ingredient can now be found in numerous beauty products. Research has shown the strong antioxidant properties the plant holds can also benefit the skin when included in skin care products. Asphalatin flavonoid content is said to fight signs of aging and have soothing effects on the skin for acne and eczema. Here are some of the benefits of Rooibos in skin care.1) The extracts is very useful when applied on the skin area to help soothe irritations such as itchy skin, sunburns, eczema, or acne.2) Teenagers dealing with hormonal changes in their bodies may experience a more severe acne problem. Rooibos extracts can help the acne to heal and prevent the skin from getting too oily.4) The skin of the human body is exposed to the harsh elements of the environment. Sometimes, it needs a little aid in healing. Rooibos extracts contain important ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acid and zinc that is just what the skin needs to grow healthily. In addition to skincare, Rooibos, when consumed on a daily basis, helps with digestion, and have even been known to relieve stomach cramps. Sensitive people simply love this ingredient because it helps them relieve symptoms that are caused by allergies such as asthma or hay fever. Since antioxidants help to improve the immune system, those who consume Rooibos find that they have higher energy levels, and lead a more active life.This ingredient, whether in tea or skincare products is mild enough to be suitable for all ages and both men and women.