Loving Cocoa
Esi Arhin • September 10, 2021
I love cocoa. It began with chilled cocoa drinks, dispensed from a cooler, remember those twin ones from way back? It was just the thing to have with meat pie at snack time back in primary school. Then of course, chocolate! Who doesn't love chocolate?
Two decades ago, a friend introduced me to all-natural cocoa powder made into a hot drink.
At first experience it was super bitter, but I managed to down it in small sips in forever. I was tempted to add sugar, but my friend emphatically advised to take it without sugar for full benefits.
Thankfully, in a very short time I could drink it and not flinch at the bitterness.
Not only was I not flinching, I acquired the taste for and began to enjoy it.
A hot cup of all-natural cocoa in the morning with a sprinkle of dawadawa powder was enough breakfast to start my day. I got hooked.
Since then, I can count the rare occasions on which I’ve gone without at least a cup of cocoa a day. I start and end my day with a hot cup of it. If I don't start my day with one, I end it with one. What's life without hot cocoa drink and some dawadawa?
Over the years I've introduced family and close friends to natural cocoa powder. Many are those who have become lovers of it and made me a supplier.
Esi, my cocoa is finished. "People, get own cocoa!" I oblige and continue to supply.
I've been making small shipments of cocoa powder to a couple of friends abroad frequently. They tell me they can't live without it. Who I'm I to take away life's little joys?
Cocoa powder has many health benefits. Scientific research has it that cocoa powder contains iron, zinc, and selenium. These are minerals that help the body to function by boosting the immune system. Adding cocoa powder to your diet helps Improve cognitive health, strengthens the Immune system, lessens side effects of radiation therapy, muscle and nerve function work better, wound healing is accelerated with lower risk of heart disease. For those of us forever trying to lose weight, cocoa does help with that and weight control.
My love experience with cocoa set me on a discovery path to knowing my metabolism well. I've learnt that cocoa is rich in phytonutrients but low in fat and sugar, calories from cocoa powder are stashed with healthy chemicals. Cocoa helps with the regulation of the use of energy and metabolism. My favourite great thing about drinking all-natural cocoa is that it makes me feel full and prolongs hunger pangs. One full cup in the morning carries me far down the day.
In 2019, a wine importer I buy from here in Accra also introduced me to cocoa wine. That particular cocoa wine I bought from her had won an award for innovation.
I was at first sceptical and a little hesitant to spend my hard-earned money on an experimental wine, but she was quite convincing, so I decided to give it a try. She insisted I added another bottle to my purchase because I would most definitely love it. She swore by it. I'm not one afraid to try new things but wine is made from grapes, don't we all know this?
Cocoa wine s3n?
"How is that even possible?" In the end she convinced me, so I bought two bottles instead of one.
I won't tell you who I shared them with. But I will tell what we had it with. Corned beef and egg stew, (none like you've ever known) with spaghetti. It was delicious!
My companion likes to cook while swirling his wine glass with music in the background. We cracked bottle number one open and decanted, let sit for an hour or so. The first whiff of the aroma was heavenly. Prior to opening the cocoa wine, we contemplated on going with our usual, so as not to destroy our taste buds. My companion was sold when he sniffed it. This is going to be good! "How do you know?', I asked. He took a long whiff, rolled his eyes, then said, this (referring to the potent aroma in the air.) I believe my fellow cocoa lovers can attest to the unique aroma and powerful flavour of cocoa.
What started as “let's have half a glass each before dinner”, ended up as, who finished the last bit? After a couple glasses each.
So, i'm sure you’ve guessed what happened to the second one.
I have to say, I'm not a wine connoisseur but I've had my fair share of wine to know a good one when I taste it. That cocoa wine was superb.
When it first hit my tongue it tasted like fruity red wine, mildly. The flavour was very pleasant, not to mention again the aroma. The slightly smoky taste of cocoa popped up just after I had savoured it. That's when you taste the real difference between that and regular grape wine. The flavour of cocoa wine has a lingering effect.
I've since been hooked on it and have not been lazy at stocking up when my pocket permits.
In May 2020, I had great need of some cocoa wine to serve at an event, only for the importer to have run out of stock. Imagine my consternation. I had gone and run my mouth about it and had been tasked to deliver. "What am I to do?" I went online to search for some, zero. I gave up and made plans for an alternative.
Enter a cocoa farmer and a winemaker in West Africa of all places. I've since been introduced to made in Ghana cocoa wine.
These days it's not only chocolate and a hot cup of natural cocoa drink I live for. I also live for cocoa wine.
By the way, one of those I introduced natural cocoa powder to has recently discovered a brand of cocoa powder abroad. All natural, the beans are unroasted. I am reliably informed it tastes great and goes down smoothly. Your guess is as good as mine. I've put in a request for two packs, all I want from there for Christmas.
My love experience with cocoa has been nothing but a godsend. It has yielded me clear skin, which takes effect from within, then regular use of cocoa butter gives it a fine finish. Tell you what ladies, you are promised extra hygiene in your secret places when you drink all natural cocoa. Hand on my heart.
I love cocoa, I do. I always will and wouldn't have it any other way. I intend to nurture my cocoa love and expand my knowledge of it.
Christmas is just around the corner, wine and chocolate have their special roles. So, if you care to explore and experience the unique flavour of cocoa wine, DM me. I will show you where to get some cocoa goodies and how to bite your tongue "chocolate-ing" and "cocoa-ing".
Esi's Blog
Ama Ata Aidoo's The Days , a picture book for children is a delight to read. Illustrated by Albert Buete Puplumpu, the book offers relatable descriptions of days of the week and their unique characters in a fun way. The theme of differences and similarities resonates clearly. The author employs the use of rhythm, rhyme, repetition and imagery to deploy the story. In comparison to how days behave, it plays on the characteristics of animals and things to enforce its message while encouraging children in an unsuspecting way to apply their mathematical skills. The simplicity of style and subject makes it an easy read for young children. At the same time, it holds a certain appeal for adults because of the subliminal meaning portrayed for those who understand the battles fought in daily existence. This book explores the possibilities in each day, painting a picture of life and its unpredictability in general. It assures the young that differences are normal and in fact to be expected. For adult readers it reinforces our knowledge and understanding of daily life challenges, leaving a sense of balance. The performance potential it holds is most exciting. Each day's character stares the imagination and evokes an actor in the reader. The colourful illustrations depict familiar images in ethereal bliss, typically that of the old village wall. The front cover captures the theme beautifully. It shows the different characters of days by seamlessly fusing together colours symbolizing the differences in days. The illustrations are very effective in enhancing the story. Although "Each day has hours of ten, ten and four..." "All the days are not equal" indeed. Children are sure to be entertained and learn about diversity. I'm enamored! The Days is far more than a good read. Children, gather round!
Navrongo, the capital town of the Kassena-Nankani district lies south of Paga, the main border crossing between Ghana and Burkina Faso. It sits at the tropical Savannah belt, Upper East of Ghana. I first made my way there sometime in September 2002 through a friend who couldn’t believe I had lived all 27 years of my life in southern Ghana, never having traveled up north. He insisted I needed the exposure and so he dragged me with him. He said I had not lived If I had not seen the sun rise on the Tono dam. So, one fine morning at 5:00 am, I jumped into his pick-up truck, and we headed up north where he had made a home away from fanteland. It was the longest road trip I had ever embarked on at the time, 15 hours on the road to be precise. Takeaway the breaks we took at Kumasi, Kintapo and Tamale. I barely noticed the hours pass as we chatted all the way with the company of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley playing in the background on repeat. To this day, the ride to Navrongo remains one of the fondest memories I have of traveling Ghana for work or leisure. This part of the country is home to two ethnic groups, the Kassims and the Nakanas. Historically, it is said that these two ethnic groups have had relative independence because the Ashantis didn't invade them. However certain treaties established by the British in 1898 an Anglo-French convention came up with an agreement to divide the lands. The Kassims and Nankanas were subsequently separated from their relatives who today live across the border, Burkina Faso. Older indigens of Navrongo know it as Navoro, which means (to put your foot down on soft ground). Today, the town is indeed soft ground to live and explore what new opportunities it has to offer, including access to tertiary education locally. The siting of Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences campus to the township has brought much warmth to the once laid back and very quiet town. Yet, it still remains relatively calm in comparison to Bolgatanga which is 30 kilometers away by road, about 40 minutes’ drive. It is an important market town in the area. The people are mainly subsistence farmers and rearers of cattle and goat. Navrongo is known for its famous mud-built cathedral and grotto, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Although it doesn't haven many formally designated places of tourist attraction, it is by its character a great attraction. The warmth of the people, the native architecture, fabrics, the market, the guinea fowl joints, the easy connection between humans and cattle in full glare, make up a total unique culture for experiencing. Marked places of interests in addition to the mud-built cathedral are the Tono dam, which is one of the largest agricultural dams in West Africa, also the first ever solar plantation and the health research centre. It is awesome to watch the sun rise ever so gracefully on the Tono dam.The rising of the sun is said to symbolise the journey of the sun in the sky. At about 5:00 am one morning my host and I set off on a drive to see the famous sunrise on Tono dam. The joy of watching the sunrise on the dam is next to none, with nature at its best early morning. The sun’s golden rays added a burnt orange colour to the smoky clouds. A small ball of light emerged from the sky at first. It then slowly starts to get bigger and illuminate. As if on cue birds began to chirp in glorification of the glow of the orange goddess. Its beauty is beyond description, I cannot do it justice. Suddenly, out of the blue it bursts out into a gleaming ball expanding at a moment's look. The first rays are gentle and soft on the eyes. It is a rare joy, eternally etched in memory. I have seen many a sunrise over the years but this one was magnificent, just as my host promised. It was worth every bit of the journey. One thing I found most fascinating is the hand production of ethnic fabrics by the women of Navorongo. They grow and eat their own food. They make their own beer(pito), their own beauty products from largely local materials. They build their homes with their bare hands also with local materials. They made ordinary what appeared phenomenal to me. There are some fairly decent guest houses and lodges to stay in, especially for low budget travelers. Moving around is not difficult, there are taxies and motor cars available for hire as well as collective rides. For a fun night, there are lots of drinking spots and bars to hang out and dig into some well spiced charcoal grilled guinea fowl or beef kebabs. You may sample grilled guinea fowl in as many grilling spots as you like. That is a sport in itself. I've had several opportunities to return to Navrongo after my first visit. With each visit the land and it’s people grow on me. Memories of Navrongo call. Nearly two decades after my first trip there, my heart still misses a beat at the mention of her name. Could it also be that the face of that handsome Kassim man still smiles on me?