How well do you know cocoa butter?

There isn''t a person who hasn''t heard of cocoa butter. Many people think of chocolate when they hear it, but it is also increasingly popular in desserts and highly desirable in the cosmetics industry. Wondering why? Here are some answers.

Cocoa butter, also called theobromine oil, is a solid, pale yellow fat obtained by mechanically pressing cocoa beans. Its melting point is usually 35 °C, but melting points, and therefore butters, vary according to the origin of the cocoa beans - for example, butters made from cocoa beans originating near the equator have a slightly higher melting point than those from areas with milder climates.

The vaunted medicinal properties of cocoa butter

This indispensable ingredient in chocolate is soluble at body temperature, which is why it melts so well in the mouth. As cocoa butter resists oxidation, it also helps to keep it tasting good. It also boasts a number of other good qualities, as it not only smells and tastes like chocolate, but is also extremely healthy. It strengthens the immune system, improves heart health and is an excellent source of antioxidants, among other things. It is high in minerals and rich in cocoa polyphenol, which reduces the chances of cancer, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also high in three important saturated fatty acids, which are not harmful to health:

• Oleic acid has a regenerative effect on the body and reduces the chances of heart failure. But be careful - only consume cold-processed cocoa butter, as heat treatment makes oleic acid harmful.
• Palmitic acid is anti-inflammatory and protects the skin from external agents.
• Stearic acid helps damaged skin heal faster. Due to its content, cocoa butter does not increase the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

For body care - to fight skin ageing and wrinkles

All these beneficial effects on the skin make cocoa butter a popular choice for cosmetic products, as it is soluble at body temperature, making it extremely easy to apply, while at the same time providing extra moisture and protection to the skin, keeping it smooth and supple. Due to its good absorbency, it is also increasingly used in massages. But that''s not all - it''s also effective in the fight against ageing, making it indispensable in anti-wrinkle products. It is also useful in the care of dry and damaged hair, as it nourishes, moisturises and strengthens it, and is said to help against hair loss and dandruff.

And the list does not end there - because it contains tryptophan, an amino acid involved in the synthesis of serotonin, the so-called ''happiness hormone'', it relaxes and improves mood, relieves anxiety and lowers stress levels. It should be noted, however, that despite its many medicinal properties, it is high in calories and should therefore be consumed in moderation.

Recipe for making cocoa butter at home

If you are convinced by its many good properties and are skilled in the kitchen, you can make it at home in just a few steps. You will need a little patience and the following ingredients or utensils:

• Cocoa beans,
• cold water,
• an oven,
• a hammer,
• a strainer,
• a bowl,
• (coffee) grinder,
• a squeezer or cotton cloth.

1. Step 2: Rinse the cocoa beans with cold water (this will avoid sediment).
2. Step 2: Roast them at a temperature between 37 °C and 57 °C for about one and a half hours, taking care not to bruise them.
3. Step 5: Cool them quickly to room temperature.
4. Step 2: Take a hammer and tap the grains gently with it to scrape off the outer shell.
5. Step 2: Put the crushed grains in a strainer and place a container underneath for the liquid to flow into; press gently on the grains until only the outer shell remains in the strainer.
6. Step 2: You can use a grinder to help you grind the grains, as the high temperature will help to turn the powder into liquid.
7. Step 2: To separate the cocoa butter from the liquid, you can use a squeezer or just a cotton cloth.