Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Butter is obtained from the cacao bean which is found inside the cocoa pod that grows on from the cacao tree. Cocoa butter, also called theobroma oil or theobroma cacao, is a pale-yellow, pure, edible vegetable fat extracted from the cocoa bean. Cocoa beans are fermented, roasted, and then separated from their hulls. About 54% – 58% of the residue is cocoa butter. It is usually deodorized to remove its strong and undesirable taste. It is used to make chocolate, biscuits, and baked goods. It is also used in manufacturing some pharmaceuticals, ointments, and toiletries. It is adds flavor, scent, and smoothness to these products. It has a mild chocolate flavor and aroma.
Cocoa Butter is a natural moisturizer that melts at skin temperature, ideal for skin but it is rather hard at lower temperatures. Its health benefits come from its cocoa mass polyphenol.
Cocoa butter is widely used as a treatment for pregnancy stretch marks. With its A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, vitamins, it is excellent moisturizer for skin health.
Cocoa butter contains a large proportion of minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron, all of which are in a highly bioavailable form that render them more effective than commercial vitamin supplements. Not only that, though, it also contains tryptophan, involved in the formation of serotonin, the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter, and also dopamine and phenylethylamine, all good substances. It is brain food as well as food for your skin.
Health benefit of Cacao Butters:
- This rich butter is composed of essential fatty acids Omega-6 which are important for your brain function, they help your skin and hair to replenish and help you maintain strong bones whilst regulating metabolism.
- In cacao butter there is monounsaturated Omega-9 which is also called oleic acid (is what is found in olive oil) and may be good for the health of our heart.
- It is a plentiful source of Vitamin E making it great for your skin.
- Finally it's chemical and hexane free so you can eat it knowing you are getting a whole food.