Cacao Elegance: A Journey from Bean to Blissful Chocolate.

The power of cacao, from South America to your cup, unveiled and crafted in Pittsburgh, PA by COLOMBINO

Historical Reverence:

The story of cacao is woven through centuries, tracing back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations who revered it as the "food of the gods." Used in rituals and cherished by Aztecs, Mayans and tribes from South America, cacao transcends time and frontiers, carrying a rich history of cultural significance. 

First introduced to Europe in the 16th century, cacao has since grown in popularity for its diverse health benefits.

One cacao bean a day keeps the doctor away (health benefits of cacao)

Healthful riches: Beyond its delectable taste, cacao brings a trove of health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, it supports heart health and cognitive function. Rich in minerals, it nourishes the body. Dark chocolate, derived from cacao, is celebrated for its potential mood-enhancing properties.

Pure cocoa contains polyphenols that are suitable for your health.
Polyphenols are naturally found in foods such as vegetables, fruits, chocolate, tea, and wine. Polyphenols help increase blood flow, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. Polyphenols also help to reduce inflammation and blood pressure.

Since pure cocoa is a source of polyphenols, it is rich in flavanols that contain antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory properties. In retrospect, high-temperature processing of cacao beans during the roasting and refining process reduces the antioxidant content of the cocoa beans, resulting in a loss of beneficial properties, along with ket elements of the fruit itself. Anytime you want to reap the amazing benefits of pure cocoa we recommend sticking with pure cacao paste.

Cocoa boosts nitric oxide levels which help to lower high blood pressure.
Cacao in its powdered and pure dark chocolate form helps to reduce blood pressure. The flavanols in cocoa react by raising nitric oxide levels in the blood. This response then lowers blood pressure and enhances blood vessel function.

However, you should keep in mind that levels of the flavanols in cocoa can be greatly reduced in some processing methods, especially if the cocoa is processed with alkali and high-temperature refining. This means that the average chocolate bar is less likely to reduce high blood pressure.

Cocoa is a preventative measure for strokes and heart attacks. 
Drinking pure cocoa chocolate not only lowers blood pressure, but the flavanols also improve heart health. Therefore, the flavanols found in pure cocoa raise nitric oxide levels in the blood. This response also helps to relax your arteries and blood vessels and improves blood flow to the heart.

But that's not all the benefits, as pure cacao also helps to prevent "bad" LDL cholesterol, reduce inflammation and improve blood sugar. All of these are necessary to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Bean-to-cup Processing

From bean to paste: The journey to crafted chocolate begins with cacao beans. Once harvested and fermented, beans undergo roasting to unveil their nuanced flavors. Grinding transforms them into a luscious cacao paste, the foundation for exquisite chocolate. COLOMBINO sources cacao directly, ensuring quality from farm to cup.

Artisanal roasting: Roasting is a delicate dance; too much heat can mask flavors, while too little leaves them underdeveloped. COLOMBINO's artisanal approach honors the distinct characteristics of each cacao batch, creating a symphony of flavors in every bar.

Brewing blissful hot chocolate: COLOMBINO's commitment extends to crafting the perfect hot chocolate. Our roasted cacao is transformed into a velvety, rich beverage. Sourced from Colombian and Ecuadorian farms, each cup tells a tale of terroir. The careful selection, roasting, and brewing process ensures an unparalleled hot chocolate experience.

COLOMBINO's chocolate symphony: Indulge in COLOMBINO's crafted chocolate and hot chocolate, a testament to our dedication to quality and tradition. From the sourcing of cacao in Colombia to the artisanal roasting and brewing, every step is a celebration of the cacao bean's journey — a journey that transcends time, culture, and tantalizes taste buds.