BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE AND HOW TO CULTIVATE IT

Does anyone know what chocolate is? The word 'chocolate' is very common to us. Chocolate comes from the word Xocolat which is a combination of the word xocolli which means bitter and alt which means water. Chocolate is the name for processed food or drinks from cocoa beans. Maya tribe was the first to discover the secret of chocolate in 250 AD. Chocolate was first consumed by the inhabitants of ancient Mesoamerica as a drink around AD 900, although it is believed that in the past, chocolate could only be consumed by the aristocracy. The entry of chocolate into Indonesia through Spanish. They brought chocolate to Sulawesi, to be precise to Minahasa in 1560. However, cocoa exports from Indonesia only started during the Dutch colonial period. The island of Java began planting cocoa in 1880.

Chocolate contains alkaloids such as theobromine, phenethylamine, and anandamide, which have physiological effects on the body. Many of these ingredients are supplemented by serotonin levels in the brain. What are the nutrients in dark chocolate? Quality chocolate is one that has a high chocolate content. A 100 gram piece of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa content contains:

1.      11 grams of fiber

2.      Iron

3.      Magnesium

4.      Copper

5.      Manganese

6.      Other nutrients contained are potassium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, vitamin K and selenium

Chocolate also contains 600 calories and sugar in moderation. The fatty acids contained in cocoa are very good for the body. Caffeine and theobromine are also present in chocolate. However, the caffeine content is very small in chocolate so it doesn't have the effect of insomnia.

Some of the health benefits of chocolate:

a.      Improve blood circulation

Flavonoid compounds are very good for the body, one of which is their role to expand blood vessels in the brain. So that by consuming chocolate can help improve blood circulation.

b.      Prevent heart disease

Chocolate contains chemical compounds that can also help the cardiovascular system run smoothly. Especially if you consume dark chocolate, it can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.

c.       Lowers cholesterol

Another benefit of eating chocolate is to reduce LDL cholesterol or bad fats. Conversely, chocolate can actually increase levels of HDL cholesterol or good fats in the body.

d.      Anti-depressants

Chocolate is good for consumption because chocolate contains serotonin compounds which act as natural anti-depressants.

e.      Hypertension drugs

This flavonoid content acts as an antioxidant which lowers blood pressure and balances hormones in the body.

f.        Inhibits premature aging

By consuming chocolate, you can also help yourself to help prevent premature aging. Such as reducing wrinkles on the face, with its natural antioxidant content.

Benefits of chocolate for beauty:

a.      Detoxify the skin

If cocoa powder is mixed with caffeine, it will be beneficial for skin detoxification. In addition, a mixture of chocolate and caffeine can also treat dull and oily skin.

b.      Anti aging

The content of flavonoids as antioxidants plays a role in tightening the skin of the body so that it always looks young and fresh. The method is to melt chocolate in the milk and then apply it to the skin while doing a massage. Do this chocolate concoction regularly 2-3 times a week.

c.       Natural scrub

By using a chocolate scrub, it can brighten the body's skin and remove dead skin cells in the body. The trick is to melt the cocoa powder, then mix it with milk to form a cream. Then, apply this brown scrub on your face and neck.

How to Cultivate Chocolate:

1.      Land Preparation

Land preparation or arela starts from the survey / measurement stage to the weed control stage.

2.      Planting shade trees

In the cocoa planting area, there are two types of shade trees, namely: Temporary shade trees and permanent shade trees. Temporary shade trees function for plants that have begun to produce.

3.      Determination of Cocoa Planting Distance

Setting the spacing marked with wooden stakes at the point where the planting hole will be made. The ideal spacing is in accordance with the development of the plant canopy and there is sufficient space for root development.

4.      Determination of Planting Patterns

The cropping pattern is a technique to regulate plant spacing and arrangement of plants / shade trees.

5.      Ground Cover Planting

Generally, ground cover crops in cocoa plantations are legumes.

6.      Making Cocoa Planting Holes 

The planting hole is made right at the spacing point that has been made previously with a size of 40 x 40 x 40 cm, 50 x 50 x 50 cm or 60 x 60 x 60 cm.

7.      Provision of Basic Cocoa Plant Fertilizer

A few days after sowing dolomite lime, the planting hole is given a basic fertilizer in the form of manure or compost as much as 2 - 3 kg per hole.

8.      How to Plant Cocoa Seeds

Cocoa seedlings can be planted next to the age of 4 or 6 months.

9.      Care and Maintenance of Cocoa Plants

There are 3 steps, namely embroidery, watering, and weeding.

10.  Fertilization of Cocoa Plants

The type of fertilizer used can be in the form of manure, compost or inorganic fertilizers such as urea, ZA, KCL, TSP / SP36 or compound fertilizers such as NPK fertilizer.

11.  Pruning shade trees

Pruning of shade trees is also carried out so that the branches and leaves grow tall and well. Meanwhile, temporary shade trees are pruned and eventually destroyed in line with the growth of the cocoa.

12.  Pruning Cocoa Plants

Pruning the cocoa plant is an effort that can be done to increase production and maintain the economic life of the plant.

13.  Control of Cocoa Pests and Diseases

Pest and disease attacks can result in losses due to reduced production and yield quality.

14.  Harvesting Cocoa Pods

Cocoa pods that are ready for harvest are ripe pods, which are around 5.5 - 6 months from flowering. A ripe fruit is characterized by a yellow or red skin.

Kalisa Dwi Haryani

X AKL 2