Smoking cigarettes used to be a lot more widespread than it is today. Now most smokers are looking for ways of stopping smoking. This is because smokers and the general public at large are more conscious of the risks of smoking cigarettes these days.
Just look at films manufactured in the Sixties and before, everyone is smoking. It shows how common smoking was compared with today. This would not be possible now as you may not smoke in public places, on public transport, in restaurants or in bars any more in most Western countries and elsewhere too.
The difficulty with smoking is that not just the smoker suffers, so does everyone around about the smoker. This is called passive smoking and it affects those working or living with smokers – a barmaid or a spouse for example. So, all these individuals are endangering their health so that tobacco firms can become richer.
No matter how long someone has been smoking, it is possible to stop the habit. Anyone who has stopped smoking will tell you that stopping smoking cigarettes is all to do with the mind. You really have to desire to give up smoking or you will not do it successfully.
Individuals have different ways of stopping smoking cigarettes. Some say that nicotine patches or nicotine gum help, because you can wean yourself off nicotine slowly without having to inhale the poisonous smoke of cigarettes. Nicotine is highly addictive and most of the chemical withdrawal symptoms have to do with the shortage of nicotine in the body.
Most individuals find that the single effective way of stopping smoking cigarettes is to give up smoking dead – in one go. It is very difficult to cut down or to swap to a weaker brand. You are still inhaling poisonous smoke. It is still no good to you or anyone around you.
Cutting down or switching brands does not work, because you will still smoke other people’s and you will still be in a smokers’ environment. You will also find yourself smoking tomorrow’s five cigarettes today, swearing not to smoke any the next day. That never works. You have to give up smoking dead.
There are a number of situations that can provide the motivation to quit smoking cigarettes. Illness is usually high on the list. A few years ago two friends of mine who smoked heavily stopped smoking cigarettes within weeks of each other.
One was in his sixties and had smoked for almost sixty years: he was told that his lungs were beginning to go, but that if he stopped smoking, the shock might kill him. He stopped smoking one morning and is still alive, but what a dilemma!
The other was in his fifties and drove a lot as a travelling salesman. The doctor told him that he would probably have to have a leg removed next year, if he did not stop smoking and that the other might go a year or so after that. He stopped smoking instantly and still has both legs.
So it seems that the trick to stopping smoking cigarettes successfully is to find your motivation (do you want to live long enough to see the grandchildren married?) and bear that image in front of you at all times. Take nicotine substitutes if you have to and stay away from environments where individuals smoke more, like pubs.Join a sports club instead, something like tennis, table tennis, swimming or even chess.
If you want to start quitting smoking cigarettes, you could do far worse than visit our free website on Quitting Smoking
Filed under Uncategorized by on Oct 11th, 2011. Comment. 
It is daft that smokers know all the health risks involved with smoking (like lung cancer and emphysema), are aware that there are over 4,000 chemical compounds present in cigarette smoke (many of which are known to be carcinogens), and yet they tell themselves, like so many others keep telling themselves, that they like smoking and that you do not want to stop?
They should not worry; it’s not their fault.
It is called an addiction to smoking.
Some people can stop smoking cold turkey, but there are not many like that.
Smoking appeals not only on a physical level, but on a strong emotional one too. This is why it is so difficult to stop, but you can do it!
You have to have a plan that does not just help you deal with one side of the addiction, but both. Studies show that programs that address both sides of the problem have a higher chance of success. You need the all natural CigArrest system.
There may be many reasons why one would consider quitting smoking: for family, for health reasons, because the cost is just too great, or perhaps all of the above.
Why is there addiction?
The physical aspect of addiction:
Your brain produces chemicals that help control your moods and if your brain does not produce adequate quantities of these chemicals then you can end up with bad temperedness and bad mood swings. Nicotine helps to stimulate the production of these chemicals. These chemicals include norepinephrine, which regulates alertness and excitement, dopamine, which is part of your brain’s pleasure circuitry, and beta endorphin, which helps to lessen anxiety and pain.
Unfortunately, these results from smoking are not long lived and eventually you crave those feeling again. And sooner or later your mind and body is conned into thinking that smoking is the only way to create these feelings.
The emotional side of addiction:
Thinking back, you find that cigarettes have helped you in many situations: cigarettes have helped you relax in times when you felt stressed or helped keep you more alert in times when you had to stay awake (like driving home late at night or when you needed to complete a project). Cigarettes might have assisted you socially at a party, coffee house, or at work because you automatically have that link with other smokers. When you wanted it, it was there for you.
The fact of the matter is you do not have to have it as much as you might think. You have the ability to be a confident, merry person, without the mood-enhancing effects of cigarettes. But first you need to quit smoking. This is where the CigArrest program can help you. Nicotine can stay in your body between 2-4 days once you have given up cigarettes. This is why nicotine programs that offer to help you stop smoking can prolong your need for nicotine because your body will continue wanting it.
Because CigArrest has no nicotine, you will not get that problem. CigArrest equips you with everything you need to quit the nicotine addiction. CigArrest will help you combat the urge to light up with CigArrest Tablets, and with CigArrest Gum you can fight the oral habit of smoking. CigArrest also supplies you with VitaGuard Smoker’s Vitamins which aids fight any cell damage that has resulted from smoking and helps strengthen your immune system. The welcome kit also has an audio CD that helps you discoverlearn how to avoid smoking in any situation and a program guide and exercise handbook to help you understand the program and to stay smoke free for the rest of your life.
Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms:
When attempting to stop smoking the biggest obstacle is nicotine withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are both physical and emotional. Physically the body reacts to the lack of nicotine and emotionally you are faced with changing your behaviour. Both requirements must be faced in order to successfully stop smoking. A smoker will normally feel physical withdrawals even just a few hours after their last cigarette, but it is even greater after 2-3 days. Signs include: dizziness, depression, frustration, anger, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, headaches, and increased appetite that can last for a few weeks. It is these symptoms that cause smokers to easily relapse after trying to give up smoking cold turkey.
There are many products out there to help you stop smoking, but when they only address one side of quitting, such as the physical aspect, you end up running a bigger chance of relapse.
In order to reduce this chance, it is important to find a program that has items that contain ingredients designed to help you fight the physical symptoms of quitting and that help you combat the emotional and behavioural aspect of quitting as well. Natural ways to deal with nicotine withdrawals include exercise and getting more relaxation. Try taking a multi vitamin like CigArrest VitaGuard Smoker’s Vitamins that can help offset nicotine withdrawal symptoms and renew depleted nutrients. Try CigArrest all-natural pills that include things like Peruvian Bark (which helps to treat edginess, nervousness, and indigestion), Spurge Laurel (which helps combat sleeping problems), Calcium Phosphate (which helps treat headaches), and Nux Vomica (which helps fight insomnia and irritability). Also, chewing gum like CigArrest Gum, which also has ingredients to help offset nicotine cravings, can help you replace the oral habit of smoking.
If you are trying to quit smoking cigarettes, you have to go to our free website on Quitting Smoking
Filed under Uncategorized by on Sep 29th, 2011. Comment.
If you and your partner are interested in a romantic vacation, you may have a hard time deciding on a locality because there is such a large number of vacation destinations to choose from. However, I would like to suggest St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands, which lies in the Caribbean.
St. Thomas is well-known for its romantic holidays. Hundreds of thousands of couples have been vacationing in St. Thomas in order to get pleasure from an exclusive, intimate, and romantic break. If you are asking yourself why St. Thomas is such as wonderful place for romantic breaks, you ought to read more about St. Thomas on their official Internet web site.
The Caribbean, in general, is well known for its wonderful, hot weather and this sort of setting is many couples’ ideal romantic getaway. The lovely weather means unparalleled opportunities for swimming and other beach activities. If seeing all the beautiful people in their bathing costumes does not turn you on then nothing will!.
However, do not think that St. Thomas is only intended for younger people. It caters very well for people of all age groups, although some areas are ‘adults only’. So, if you will have to check up on any age restrictions on some of the private beaches. Some may be Club 18-30, others may not admit under 18 year olds.
The ‘adults only’ resorts in St. Thomas are perfect for romantic holidays. The hotel rooms in these resorts are also of a higher class. Many of them have marine views and large in room baths or jacuzzis. If you can get hold of one these rooms, you may not even want to go outside.
However, if you do want to venture outside, many of St. Thomas’ beach resorts offer outstanding opportunities for all kinds of water sports like boat trips, snorkeling and assisted scuba diving tours. If you are not water-orientated or you want to have a go at something on land then there is horseback riding too. Horse riding along the coast is very popular. Many resorts have their own specialist activities, so when you book your holiday, make sure you check out what is available to you in that locality.
There are ample opportunities for shopping and sight-seeing on your own as well. You could hire a car and head up the coast or inland to one of the national parks, where you may see wildlife or find a secluded restaurant serving delectable local food.
Last, but definitely not least, in the list of romantic things to do in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is to get wed. There are fewer restrictions on marriage for American couples than on mainland America. The only observances are a $50 fee and an eight day posting of bans to declare your intention to wed. You can get married at almost any time of the day or night. So, a sunset wedding on the beach is easily workable and is, in fact, one of the most popular romantic reasons for young couples coming to St. Thomas.
Owen Jones writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with romantic men’s perfume. If you have an interest in romantic gifts, please go over to our website now at Romantic Gifts Ideas. Also published at A Romantic Holiday In St. Thomas, The US Virgin Islands.
Filed under Uncategorized by on Jul 22nd, 2011. Comment.
If you are feeling romantic and you want to be alone with your loved one in a romantic place far from petty distractions, why not go to Paris and take a cruise? The cruise ships are beautiful and offer haute cuisine with fine wines and a wide selection of dishes. Service on board is excellent and if they know that it is a special trip for you, they will go out of their way to make it even more special.
Just by selecting the city of Paris as your venue, you will be conveying the impression of romance, because as everybody knows, Paris has the reputation of being the capital of the world of romance.
So, how do you go about booking one of these cruises? Well, obviously, first of all, you have to be in Paris. This is not a difficulty, if you live in Europe as there are flights and sleeper trains. If you are American, you will have to take the longer-term view and start saving for next year.
Once in your hotel in Paris, you can either ask reception for details or go to one of the many Tourist Information Centres, where everybody speaks English. The cruise line staff will pick you up from your hotel on the chosen day, so that you will not have the hassle of having to find your way through a strange, busy city alone.
Once on board, the pampering starts with your welcoming on board and a complimentary drink to ignite the fires of romance. You will enjoy four or more hours of this, depending on which cruise you decide on, but they are all wonderfully romantic voyages aboard beautiful cruise liners.
Generally speaking, the cruise will start on the left bank of the river Seine, usually in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower. Some of these boats are made of a type of perspex, so that your view of the streets and monuments is unimpeded. And of course, all the sights are lit up at night and in quite a stunning fashion too. You will also be able to gaze downwards into the water itself.
As you cruise on this glass boat you will be entertained by some of the finest musicians that Paris can offer you. Solo instrumentalists; quartets; classical music; solo artiste singers or a duet. There are also cruises with more modern music too, but I don’t find them as romantic as the more traditional stuff. However, you can take all these particulars into account when you book your romantic cruise in Paris.
You will not only pass by celebrated landmarks, you will also pass very close by them and even underneath them. Famous bridges; Notre Dame; the Louvre, and many more. Not only that, but you will see all these incredible historical monuments while being pampered by the best hosts that Paris has to offer and drinking fine wines and champagne, seated at the bow of the cruiser in luxury.
Once your romantic cruise and your meal are over, you will be taken to a lavish show on the Champs Elysees, where you will be given a half bottle of champagne on entry. There is no need to worry about driving, so let your hair down and enjoy yourselves.
When you have had a sufficient amount of the high life, you will be transported back to your hotel, in the same manner that you were picked up. However, there are other choices too. You may want to go back to the hotel on a romantic horse and carriage, it will maintain that romantic mood.
Once you get back to your hotel, why not both get in the bath together? Light a few scented candles, open another bottle of wine and play some soft music. It will be an evening you will both remember for the rest of your lives, I promise you.
Owen Jones writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets. If you have an interest in romantic gifts, please go over to our website now at Romantic Gifts Ideas. Check here for free reprint license: Going On A Romantic Cruise In Paris.
Filed under Uncategorized by on Jul 12th, 2011. Comment.
If you like being in your garden and want a set of garden furniture in order to take advantage of the lovely summer weather, it can be rather depressing when you go out to look at the prices of garden furniture, particularly if you are on a budget. And who is not on a budget these days? However, there is a way to buy cheap garden furniture and still end up with something that you can be proud of.
I would like you to be very careful about lies. I have just finished reading an article offering an ‘authentic teak (garden furniture) set’ that normally sells for about $4,500 for $29.97! Anybody who believes this sort of rubbish is a sad case indeed. Later on in the article, they admit that the wood is not teak, but is ‘constructed of hardwoods equivalent to teak’.
In fact, I would not believe that either. The writer has already told one lie and so is of course unscrupulous. If ever you find a hole in someone’s advertising you ought to look elsewhere, especially on the Internet and especially if the shop is not in your town so that you cannot go and visit it.
Unfortunately, there are lots of liars on the Internet and they are giving the honest traders a bad reputation. Many of them live in poor countries that have little or no Internet or business regulation. Places like Eastern Europe, China, Africa, South America and South-Eastern Asia.
If the standard of English in the advert is poor, go elsewhere. It is a pity for the honest person who does not speak English well, but much safer for you. Another check would be to send the owner an email.
If they do not respond, give them a wide birth. If they do respond, check their Internet Provider’s (IP) address. The IP address is a group of four numbers and the first group gives the country of origin of the email.
Be very careful of offers that seem to be too good to be true. Rich people purchase teak patio furniture at $4,500. Why do they pay that much? Because the best teak furniture costs that much. How can rich people afford that much? Because they have good jobs. How do they get good jobs? Because they are not stupid. If you could buy genuine teak furniture for $29.97, they would have it as well.
So, if you can only afford to buy cheap garden furniture, buy the best quality plastic furniture that you can find and do not get sucked in by these conmen that are trying to trick you that you can have a top of the market hardwood garden furniture set for $30. You cannot; and never will be able to; and probably never have been able to either.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a range of topics, but is now involved with large dining tables. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Solid Oak Dining Tables.
Filed under Uncategorized by on May 3rd, 2011. Comment.
There are not many things in the world more stressful than attempting to complete all of your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. After fighting through the crowds to pick over the sparse odds and ends that are left in tens of shops for the perfect gift, eventually settling for a present that is “good enough”, and then standing in line for an hour in an attempt to pay for that present even a root canal job may seem preferable; after all, at least they anesthetize for that!
However, because of the busy agenda of people today, it is becoming more and more difficult for individuals to get things finished ahead of the Christmas rush. After all, shops have long-standing hours which generally inconveniently correspond with the hours that most of the world’s population has to be at work. (More than one individual has suggested that this is not, in fact, a fluke).
Intentional or not, it is difficult for a lot of people to do their shopping in a bricks-and-mortar store. For this reason, virtual shops are on the increase as individuals enjoy the ability to do their shopping at any hour of the day or night from the relative comfort of their own homes.
Shopping on the Internet does not, however, eliminate one of the most critical problems facing Christmas shoppers, that is, choosing what the should buy. For years the jewellery industry has been doing its level best to provide shoppers with an opportunity to select a romantic present for that special individuals in their life, say, a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, a brooch or a tie pin. It seems as though there is always something for everybody in the world of jewelry, no matter what the individual or their character.
However, giving the same presents year after year can become very tedious and jewelry shops have to constantly fight to stay on top of the market. They are consistently coming up with trendy new items to bring in customers and they have done it again with the introduction of silver card pendants.
Silver card pendants are pendants that attach to a card and can be worn as a necklace by the person who was given them as a gift. That sounds effortless enough, does it not? The best thing is that regardless of who you are shopping for, there is a silver card pendant that is fitting for the occasion! Is your wife’s birthday coming up? Buy her a pendant with a romantic heart on it . Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and you have not even started to think about what you are going to get your beloved?
Buy her a pendant inscribed with “With All My Love Always” and give it with a card. Is your partner a new mum? Why not get her a pendant that permits her to slip in a photo of your new bundle of happiness and carry him or her with her wherever she goes?
As you can see, no matter what the occasion, a silver card pendant makes the ideal gift. They can be bought from almost any online specialty retailer; you only have to do a search.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with Romantic Gifts: Ideas. If you have an interest in romantic gifts, please go over to our website now at Romantic Gifts: Ideas
Filed under Uncategorized by on May 2nd, 2011. Comment.
Landscaping techniques permit the gardener to transform a simple backyard into a lovely garden. There are many routes to having a stunning garden, because there are many types to choose from and there are different tastes too. Chaque un a son gout. Some styles of garden require a great deal of looking after and others less so, but even a slabbed or concrete backyard needs some maintenance.
The best way of going about making something lovely out of your backyard is planning and perhaps the simplest way of planning is to create a plan or a drawing of your garden.
If you choose this route, the first thing you will need to do is get some graph paper and plot the exact size and form of your garden onto it, with as large a scale as will fit on the sheet of graph paper.
When you have completed that, mark in unmovable objects like a brick shed, a drain or septic tank, a fish pond and doorways et cetera. Then you should photocopy it, maybe five or ten times. This is in order that you can make errors, change your mind or even allow everybody in the house to make their own plan from their own investigations and imagination.
If you think that this is outside your skills, you are almost certainly wrong. It really is not hard, children draw on graph paper all the time in maths lessons. Nevertheless, if you do not want to do it this way, then you will need to rely on plans cut out of magazines.
Consequently, collect all your ideas from magazines and put them in a folder. Similarly, if you are making a diagram on paper, collect your ideas in a file, but also mark them on your graph paper.
Set yourself or your team a deadline of say, a two weeks or a month, but you do need to do the majority of your work in the spring or the summer, when the weather is warm. On the appointed day, get together and amalgamate all your plans into one.
Put all the redundant material aside and forget about it. Do not over complicate the matter by having all the designs in the active file. Now you are prepared to go to work and implement the ideas.
The choice is now whether you do the work yourself or whether you get a contractor in. A builder will have experience, and so will be able to get the job done quickly. They will also be able to offer sensible suggestions, if what you want to accomplish is difficult. The other side of the coin is that it is a lot more expensive.
If you choose to do it yourself, you might find it a good idea to divide your plan into sections. It could be done in quarters of the garden at a time, if that is feasible, or you could do all the groundwork first, followed by the brick and blockwork, then the pond etc. Depending on your diagram. The only thing that really has to be done last is the planting of the plants
Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on a number of topics, but is at present involved with outdoor accent lighting. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Outdoor Wall Lamps.
Filed under Uncategorized by on May 1st, 2011. Comment.
A song can tell you a lot about life, the person who wrote it, the person who sings it and the person who likes to listen to it.. Songs belong to different genres. Have you ever come across a genre which is immortal? If you did would it be about love or hatred? Of course, everybody would declare that ‘love’ is the most discussed, written and sung about by people of all races and nationalities. So, it is no surprise then to find out what makes a date worth cherishing?
Music invariably has something to do with it and music could actually style the mood of your date. Dating is such a great way of choosing your future lifetime spouse. When you are out on a date, see to it that the music is well-selected and that it generates a mood of romance.
People have written all styles of songs, but the ones they write the best are love songs. Since the day the first love song was sung, people’s hearts have been melting. Songs of finding a new love, losing love, songs of inspiration, songs of moving on, songs about romance, first loves and the gush of emotions.
With all due respect to all the artists concerned and their fans too, here are some of the most popular songs of Romance. They demonstrate the feelings of two people in love during a very romantic date:
Truly, Madly, Deeply: (Savage Garden) – this duo’s song speaks of a deep love and promises made to the other person.
I’d be your dream I’d be your wish I’d be your fantasy I’d be your hope?be your love. Be everything that you need?
This I Promise You: (N-Sync) – this group filled the airwaves with love. This song is really a promise of a lifetime’s commitment. It is often used as a wedding song.
And I will take you in my arms And hold you right where you belong Until the day my life is through This I promise you
Iris: (Goo Goo Dolls) – it gained popularity not only because of the movie in which it featured, but because the song touches the heart.
And I don’t want the world to see me Cause I don’t think that they’d understand When everything’s made to be broken – I just want you to know who I am.
Dreaming of You: (Selina) – the singer died tragically, but the song lives on. It is a light song, but it goes straight to the heart.
I’m dreaming of you tonight ‘Til tomorrow And for all of my life And there?s nowhere in the world I’d rather be.
Songs will always be a big part of courtship and that usually starts with a date. Music is the food of love and music is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. Generations always have, and generations always will, continue to keep the tradition going. Music not only induces love and romance, but it also keeps love and romance alive.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Romantic Gifts: Ideas. If you have an interest in romantic gifts, please go over to our website now at Romantic Gifts: Ideas
Filed under Uncategorized by on Apr 14th, 2011. Comment.
Those who have garden furniture prefer to spend as much of the summer sitting in their garden as they can. For these people, the summer months are too short and so they spend every free minute of sunny weather enjoying the flowers in their garden and the decent weather.
Some people eat in the garden too and it is also widespread practice to read the paper in the morning over a cup of coffee and a book or magazine in the evening with a drink on the patio as well. Depending on the type of furniture that you have, this can be pretty tiring for the backside, so it is a good idea to get a couple cushions to make your life easier.
If you do not have any garden furniture yet, you have the choice of plastic, metal or wood. Plastic garden furniture is cheap to buy, but it does not last long. Plastic will normally only last for two or three years after which time it becomes brittle and breaks due to extremes of hot and cold.
Metal furniture looks better than plastic and can be more comfortable to sit on because it frequently has a fabric seat, but it can be a bit rickety and it looks so stark. I think that metal garden furniture should be avoided. Once it begins rusting, it looks awful as well.
There are two types of wood garden furniture: softwood and hardwood. Some softwood chairs, such as the deck chair or beach chair have a fairly comfortable fabric seat, but most softwood and hardwood garden chairs are hard on the backside after a short while. It is for these seats in particular that you will need cushions.
If you are buying a new garden table and chair set, you might find that it comes with matching cushions otherwise you will have to buy or make your own. This is not a problem, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
The cushions are likely to get caught in the rain sometimes, so it is best to have them made from materials that will not rot and will not retain water. The stuffing can be that non-absorbent fibre that you often find in cheap cushions. It is ideal for use in the garden. The covers should be removable and washable. Cotton or man-made fibre is all right here, because you can run them through the washing machine.
Waterproof material is not recommended because if water does get inside, you want it to be able to get out, not remain stuck inside where it will become brackish. If you want to dry them in a tumble dryer, be wary about using some man-made materials that might melt. You also do not want to use a fabric that might shrink as you will be washing them frequently. The colours must be fast for this reason as well.
While we are talking about colours, the colour or patterns of the cushion covers should be fitting for the colours around them. Please, give this a little consideration: it makes all the difference between great, average and awful cushion covers, but it is where you can express your personal taste.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is now involved with large dining tables. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Solid Oak Dining Tables.
Filed under Uncategorized by on Nov 18th, 2010. Comment.
The Theobroma Cacao or ‘the food of the Gods’ is what we all know as the cocoa tree. It’s origin can be traced back to South America’s rain forests, particularly to Central America, although historians are still debating over certain facts with regard to this tree.
It is suggested that the Mayans first grew the cacao tree in 300 AD, although others point to inadequate evidence that it was grown or at least harvested in around 3,000 BC. The Aztecs also used the cacao, but from about 1100 AD.
The chocolate (drink) that we all know today was called ‘xocoatl’. It was a very special beverage that was made out of cacao, chilies, anise seed, vanilla, corn meal and some other spices. It is said that only royalty were permitted to drink it and then only from golden chalices, which were to be used for the purpose only once.
The cacao tree is very responsive to its environment and it most frequently grows in the shade of the rain forest canopy. If just for this reason alone, chocolate lovers should join forces with the environmentalists to save the rain forests so that the cacaos will survive.
This tree is unusual because its fruits grow directly on its branches and trunk; midges cause the pollination of the flowers during the night time.
The cacao tree is very productive, but not very fruitful. It can have approximately 10,000 blossoms, but only about 10 to 50 of those will mature into fruits or pods. This is thought to be because the cacao tree can adjust the number of blossoms that will mature according to its ability to deal with the energy loss of bearing fruit or pods.
The cacao tree regulates itself in this way to preserve its health. Too many pods might exhaust its energy so much that it could not survive a viral or insect attack or too many ripe pods might snap off its branches.
The cocoa beans grow within the pod, the fruit of the blossom. Harvesters wait for the pod to ripen. They will then break open the pods and take out the seeds, which are surrounded by a white pulp. This is discarded these days, but it is thought that many years ago it was fermented into an alcoholic drink for ceremonial occasions. The beans are the source of chocolate, although there is lots to do yet..
The seeds are very bitter at this stage and it is for this reason that they will go through a procedure of fermentation for between three and seven days. This causes the seeds to go through chemical as well as physical changes. The result of this was used for the royal treat, the ‘xocoatl’.
However, to turn it into what we recognize as chocolate, the fermented beans have to go through quite a few more processes. Processes by the name of: drying, cleaning, roasting, grading, opening, separation, grinding and liquefying.
After liquefying, you have unadulterated chocolate in the form of chocolate liquor. This is sold to chocolate manufacturers and the good ones make high-class chocolate from it and the bad ones water it down so much that it is scarcely chocolate any more.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with Gourmet Chocolate Candy. If you have an interest in romantic gifts, please go over to our website now at Romantic Gifts: Ideas
Filed under Uncategorized by on Nov 9th, 2010. Comment.