Theobroma Cacao
Cocoa butter is a solid, off-white butter that is extracted from the beans of the
Theobroma cacao plant. Cocoa butter is a hard vegetable fat with a distinct, chocolate-y
aroma. Raw cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and essential fatty acids
making it the perfect choice for people who are suffering from skin inflammations, such
as psoriasis, eczema, rashes, or other types of inflammation on the body. A major
ingredient in chocolate, cocoa butter is commonly used in bath and body products due
to its skin-loving properties. Because of its hard texture and warm smell, cocoa butter
makes a fabulous addition to soap, lip products, body butters and more. It is
moisturizing to dry flaky skin and heals irritated, acne-sensitive skin. It is also known to
reduce stretch marks and scars. The beneficial ingredients nourish and protect your
skin from the damage of free radicals caused by the environment.
The name Theobroma means “food of the gods”. Cocoa butter is well-known for its
culinary and skin care uses having been used for centuries in Africa to help keep skin
soft. It is considered ideal for many medicines and bath and body products because
while it is a solid butter, it instantly melts when it touches the body. The cocoa tree is
native to South and Central America.
After the cocoa tree is planted, it will take about five years for the fruit of the tree to
grow. These fruits, which look like a pod, only grow for about 150 to 180 days
throughout the year and should not be picked until they are completely ripe. Once
picked, the fruits are cut open and the butter and cocoa powder are extracted,
fermented, roasted and crushed, then separated into the butter, the powder, and the
nibs.
At Ella Organics we use only organic, natural cocoa butter in our artisan soap
formulations at a rate of 5%-10%. Cocoa butter is also an ingredient in our body butters,
lip balms, lotion sticks, and shave creams.
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