Cacao recipe | Ceremonial cacao | Love

Valentine's Cacao, Vanilla, and Rose Petal Toffee

Name: Valentine’s Cacao, Vanilla, and Rose Petal Toffee
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: 1 cup ghee (clarified butter - no lactose); 1 cup light brown sugar; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 0.25 cup rose water; 3.5 oz Keith’s Cacao; 0 Rose petals

"Love makes the world go round, but Cacao makes the trip worthwhile."

Love is definitely in the air around Valentine's Day, primarily expressed with the gifting of chocolate, more so than any other time of the year. But have you ever wondered why chocolate is so inextricably linked to the day we have chosen to "officially" celebrate love? Let's have a quick look at some of the history and science behind the chocolate and discover the true love elixir that is Cacao.

The scientific name for the tree that produces chocolate as we know it is Theobroma Cacao, which translates to 'Food of the Gods'. The first connection between love and chocolate comes from Cacao's essential role in the Mayan wedding rituals, more than 4,000 years ago. The bride and groom would exchange sips of a Cacao beverage during the ceremony, much like couples today drink champaign. The Aztecs also used Cacao as dowry, and beans were exchanged in ritual between the bride and groom as a symbol of commitment. Later, when the Spanish Conquistadors reputedly observed Aztec Emperor Montezuma consume copious amounts of Cacao before retiring to his harem, chocolate's reputation as an aphrodisiac spread to Europe and the rest of the world like fire.

But there is more to chocolate's rise as a symbol of passion, commitment, and seduction as well as a universal expression of love than lore and ancient stories. Scientific studies corroborate that Cacao has a double physiological and emotional effect on people. Its unique combination of chemical compounds and active agents -including the cardiovascular stimulant theobromine, the "love chemical" phenethylamine, and the "bliss molecule" anandamide, among others- has been proven to elevate body and mood and produce the most natural, fully-embodied high.

However, unfortunately for Valentines the world over, this doesn't apply to most chocolate. Fortunately, it does apply to pure, ceremonial grade cacao. And there is no finest, most potent, most pure, and yummiest ceremonial Cacao in the world than Keith's Cacao!

So here is an original recipe for a true Valentine's Day celebration, made with a real love elixir! Combining Keith's Cacao, pure vanilla extract, and organic rose petals, this delicious toffee will melt everyone's heart and spread the love all around. But don't wait for Valentine's Day to make it. Love and Cacao are meant to be tasted and shared every day. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Instructions

Ingredients

1 cup ghee (clarified butter - no lactose)
1 cup light brown sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup rose water
3 ½ oz Keith’s Cacao
Rose petals

Instructions

Combine ghee, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and 1/4 cup rose water in a medium saucepan.
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until the mixture just begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to medium/low. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly until it registers 290°F on a thermometer. This will take about 15 minutes. TIP: The caramel is ready when you notice it turn to the color of a shiny copper penny.
Immediately pour the toffee onto a prepared rimmed baking sheet. Spread the toffee out if you want thinner pieces.
Allow to cool for a few minutes until the toffee becomes hard but still warm.
Melt Keith's Cacao in a saucepan on very low heat, stirring constantly. Use just enough heat so the cacao melts into a smooth paste. TIP: Use a bain-marie.
Spread cacao in an even layer with a small rubber/silicone spatula.
Sprinkle the rose petals evenly on the top.
Let stand for 20 minutes, then refrigerate until cool and set, 40 to 45 minutes.
Break into small pieces.
Eat and enjoy with your loved ones.