In this era of excessiveness, we need to be selective to truly savor life.
It’s been
my decision to do so with chocolate.
On recent travels to Central America I became more intimate with my
vice. Along with coffee, plantains, beans and bananas, cacao beans are the
mainstay of the Nicaraguan economy.
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| Young cacao plants at Las Cuarentas |
At home, we
have the opportunity to consume a variety of chocolate. But how much do we
truly appreciate?
After
making friends with Orlando, age 9, and Deyling, 7, in the village of Las
Cuarentas, my appreciation for this delight has shifted. In addition
to attending school and household chores, these two young boys alternate shifts
at the local plantation. They are out of the house by 4:30am, (thanks to the
wakeup call of that &%@! rooster) to tend to the crops. They return before
7am to get a sliver more of sleep before chore time and the rest of their day
starts.
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| Deyling, Rosmely and Orlando |
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| that &%@! rooster |
My son may
never fully value what his contemporaries in Central America do so that he
may enjoy this confection. Regardless, I can help him appreciate the variety
that chocolate offers. Choosing quality over quantity is a valuable lesson.
Applying it to chocolate with a seven year old is just plain fun. There is so
much to understand and appreciate with chocolate. We’ve taken to having
sampling parties.
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| Sampling Platter |
Mindfully
eating is good for us. Mindfully eating chocolate is great for the soul. This
is living art. All of the senses should be involved when tasting. Sight, touch,
tastes, and yes, even sound should be noted when considering the quality of a
chocolate.
Slowing down
and recognizing these subtleties will give our circuitry a chance to truly appreciate
all that’s gone into this creation. Acknowledging the multiple components
connects us to each of the craft persons in the process, including Orlando and
Deyling.
This is
what fills us, the connection.
For more
info on mindful chocolate tastings consider Dandelion Chocolate. They are next on my list for chocolate travel adventures!
