Current LectureCacao Tree Biology and DistributionCacao TreeTheobroma cacao- “food of the gods”The origin is (with much debate) thought to be the tropical forests of South America (somewhere near the Amazonian drainage basin)It is a tree that can grow 50-60 feet tallCacao- Growing ConditionsRestricted to areas where the temp is at least 80 F (and never below 60 F)At least 50 inches of rain are needed per yearNeeds damp, shades conditionsWhy? = PollinationSmall flies (aka “midges”)Cacao Tree (contin.)Grows as an understory treeFlowers from the trunk or larger branchesCaulifloryEach flower can potentially produce a fruit (pod)Cacao: From pod to cacao liquorStep 1 – Harvest: Toward “The food of the gods”Step 2 – FermentationPulp becomes liquidSeeds briefly germinateThe germination process adds the chocolate flavor to the end productStep 3 – DryingBeans lose ½ weightOuter shell loosensStep 4 – Roasting (toasting)Refines chocolate flavorStep 5 – WinnowingRemoves the outer shellAncient(ish) HistoryOlmec CivilizationMay have been the first to domesticate CacaoDating roughly from 1400 BC to about 400 BCLanguage dataKakawa (meaning: “bitter water” or “god food”)= CacaoNo archeological evidence . . . .YET!The Mayan CivilizationHad many domesticated cropsCoined “Cacao”The gods gave Cacao to manFood/market itemCurrencyChristopher ColumbusThe Aztec CivilizationQuetzalcoatl (keh-tsal-KO-at)The Aztec god that gave chocolate to the peopleHe was described as benevolent, wise, bearded, and pale-skinnedBefore he “left” he promised to return at “one reed”Occurs every 52 yearsQuetzalcoatl—How the Spanish Were Introduced to ChocolateHernando Cortez arrived in Mexico in 1519This happened to be the Aztec year “one reed”Cortez was pale-skinned and had a beardAztecs believed him to be QuetzalcoatlXOCOATL (xo = cha) = “chacoatl”The Aztec word for chocolateChocolate CravingsTheory 1: Caffeine and TheobromineChocolate contains both caffeine and theobromineBoth are stimulantsHumans are less sensitive to theobriomineMany other mammals are very sensitive to it (theobromine)Theory 2: Cannabinoid mimicsContains cannabinoid mimicsThree substances in chocolate and cocoa powered may mimic cannabinoids by activating receptors or increasing ananadamide levelsAnandamide is a lipid that binds to cannabinoid receptors and mimics the psychoactive effects of the drug.Discredited: Amounts are minimal in chocolateTheory 3: Phenethylamines“pleasure” chemicals associated with loveRapidly metabolized by an enzyme (MAO-B) on the way to the brain. . . . .Discredited: There is little indication that they make it to theTheory 4: SerotoninProduced by the hypothalamus (limbic system)Some Credit: However, in high concentrations it can be converted to melatonin which will actually decrease sex driveAGRI 116 1nd Edition Lecture 17 Outline of Last Lecture I. Tea BiologyII. Types of TeaIII. American tea lore (if time remains)Outline of Current Lecture II. Cacao Tree Biology, Distribution, and similar topicsIII. Cacao  Cocoa powderIV. Ancient(ish) History (Olmec, Maya, Aztec)V. Chocolate cravings: Is chocolate:a. Physically addictive?, Mentally addictive?, Both?, Neither?Current Lecture Cacao Tree Biology and Distribution Cacao Tree- Theobroma cacao- “food of the gods”- The origin is (with much debate) thought to be the tropical forests of South America (somewhere near the Amazonian drainage basin)- It is a tree that can grow 50-60 feet tallCacao- Growing Conditions- Restricted to areas where the temp is at least 80 F (and never below 60 F)- At least 50 inches of rain are needed per yearo Needs damp, shades conditions Why? = Pollination Small flies (aka “midges”) Cacao Tree (contin.)- Grows as an understory tree- Flowers from the trunk or larger brancheso Cauliflory- Each flower can potentially produce a fruit (pod)These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Cacao: From pod to cacao liquor Step 1 – Harvest: Toward “The food of the gods”Step 2 – Fermentation- Pulp becomes liquid- Seeds briefly germinateo The germination process adds the chocolate flavor to the end product Step 3 – Drying- Beans lose ½ weight- Outer shell loosens Step 4 – Roasting (toasting)- Refines chocolate flavor Step 5 – Winnowing- Removes the outer shell Ancient(ish) History Olmec Civilization- May have been the first to domesticate Cacaoo Dating roughly from 1400 BC to about 400 BC- Language datao Kakawa (meaning: “bitter water” or “god food”)= Cacao- No archeological evidence . . . .YET! The Mayan Civilization- Had many domesticated crops- Coined “Cacao”- The gods gave Cacao to mano Food/market itemo Currency- Christopher Columbus The Aztec Civilization Quetzalcoatl (keh-tsal-KO-at)- The Aztec god that gave chocolate to the people- He was described as benevolent, wise, bearded, and pale-skinned- Before he “left” he promised to return at “one reed” o Occurs every 52 yearsQuetzalcoatl—How the Spanish Were Introduced to Chocolate- Hernando Cortez arrived in Mexico in 1519o This happened to be the Aztec year “one reed”- Cortez was pale-skinned and had a beardo Aztecs believed him to be Quetzalcoatl- XOCOATL (xo = cha) = “chacoatl”o The Aztec word for chocolate Chocolate Cravings Theory 1: Caffeine and Theobromine Chocolate contains both caffeine and theobromine- Both are stimulants- Humans are less sensitive to theobriomine- Many other mammals are very sensitive to it (theobromine) Theory 2: Cannabinoid mimicsContains cannabinoid mimics- Three substances in chocolate and cocoa powered may mimic cannabinoids by activating receptors or increasing ananadamide levels- Anandamide is a lipid that binds to cannabinoid receptors and mimics the psychoactive effects of the drug.o Discredited: Amounts are minimal in chocolate Theory 3: Phenethylamines- “pleasure” chemicals associated with love- Rapidly metabolized by an enzyme (MAO-B) on the way to the brain. . . . .- Discredited: There is little indication that they make it to theTheory 4: Serotonin- Produced by the hypothalamus (limbic system)o Some Credit: However, in high concentrations it can be converted to melatonin which will actually decrease sex