Temporary

I took the liberty of setting up this blog to provide everyone some information about ChocoSol until their website www.chocosoltraders.com is back up and running again. They can be emailed at chocosol01@yahoo.ca.

Welcome

ChocoSol is a small, ecological and inter-communities initiative between farmers in Chiapas, Mexico, sustainable technologists based out of Oaxaca City, Mexico and horizontal traders and chocolatiers in Toronto, Ontario. The initial concept emerged from a research project at the Universidad de la Tierra in Oaxaca City that resulted in the development of solar roasters.

With the synergy of minds and hearts, the project has grown into an intercultural ad-venture, linking farmers and ecologically-minded producers in Southern Mexico with ecological and socially conscious producers and consumers in Southern Ontario. We work with the growers to help them diversify their production and elaborate their products.

ChocoSol is embarking on a friendlier trade route beyond the Fair Trade model, defining it as horizontal trade. This new structure is:

• more direct and not determined by the markets in New York
• akin to community supported agriculture
• emphasizes diversity of production
• influenced by Slow Food and food politics, and a form of pro-activism.

ChocoSol believes in the importance of creativity in the labour process and understanding the whole process in order to combine ethical, dietary, and ecological decision-making.

ca•cao means God’s Food in Mayan.

choc•o•late comes from the Nahuatl words Xocol meaning bitter and Atl meaning water.

The Aztecs credited the god Quetzlcoatl, with introducing the cacao bean to them. The cacao drink, Xoxolatl, was a sacred drink for royalty, priests, and warriors. The belief is that cacao seeds were brought from Paradise, and when the fruit of the cacao tree is eaten, we gain wisdom and power.

By the 1400s, the Aztecs and Mayans were using the cacao beans as a form of currency. The cacao bean went to Spain in the 16th century, eventually getting into the hands of Switzerland where the first chocolate bar was made in 1819.

In all its endeavours, ChocoSol ultimately honours the spirit and integrity of all those involved in spreading the joy, flavour and nourishment that the cacao bean offers to the world.

Be Healthy and Happy!

Eat Chocolate and Cacao!

Cacao has been recently recognized as a superfood, meaning that it is filled with a multitude of goodness.

Cacao Beans and Dark Chocolate:

• Promote cardiovascular health
• Protect us from toxins
• Increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that promote positive outlook
• Counter acts clinical depression
• Balances brain chemistry
• Build strong bones
• Detoxify the liver
• Support healthy pancreas functioning

Cacao Beans contain:

• two saturated fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acids, and the mono-unsaturated oleic acid
• Polyphenols with the antioxidant properties called flavonoids
• Theobromine, a mild stimulant with a mild diuretic action
• a very low amount of caffeine
• the essential minerals: magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese
• Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid