A firm favorite at the end of a meal, chocolate has been enjoyed for decades. It's known in all its forms: hot, cold, hard, liquid, or iced. Children enjoy it mixed with milk and sugar, while those with more refined palates savor it strong, rich, and a touch of orange. And for its nutritional benefits, it's simply consumed in its pure form (90% or 100%).
There has been a recent trend towards using cocoa for wellness: once considered unhealthy, its less sweetened version is now consumed to combat sugar addiction – its bitter taste can curb cravings for sweets and snacking between meals. Used for its nutritional properties, it can therefore be beneficial to health.
At Théobroma, chocolate holds a very special place: it's the centerpiece of our formulations. Indeed, our products are rich in cocoa butter, which we use for its many benefits, for the smooth texture it gives to our products, and for its subtle scent that delicately perfumes them.
How did chocolate get from the kitchen to the bathroom?
THE ORIGINS OF COCOA
Tzolk-in, Ek-Chuah, Xocoatl… You may have noticed the unusual names of our products. These are Mayan words, from the Mesoamerican people who discovered cacao. The Maya were also the first to cultivate and process cacao, initially by creating an energy drink called “xocoatl.” Made from roasted and crushed cacao beans, they were steeped in hot water.
The result? A beverage with a pronounced bitterness, reminiscent of the aroma and consumption of coffee. Cocoa contains theobromine: a molecule very similar to caffeine, which gave this drink energizing and antioxidant properties.
By using it in this way, the Maya already attributed a medicinal purpose to it, close to the view we have of cacao today.
CHOCOLATE, A WHOLE STORY
It was in the 19th century that chocolate entered a new era with its industrialization. Chocolate became more accessible thanks to the use of new machines that made its production possible on a larger scale.
Coenraad Van Houten, whose name is still on everyone's lips today, is the inventor of the cocoa press. Thanks to it, cocoa butter and cocoa loaves are obtained; once ground, this substance makes up cocoa powder.
It is this major and historic step that marks the beginning of the consumption of chocolate in a new form, and not just as a beverage.
Thus, chocolate makes its appearance in the hollow of our plates when it is transformed into powder, for a more varied use, and becomes a regular on breakfast tables.
If we love it in the kitchen, let's bring it into the bathroom!
COCOA IN THE SKIN
Cocoa, from the Theobroma tree – “food of the gods” in Mayan – has a high concentration of natural antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. It's no wonder that cocoa butter is the first ingredient listed in the INCI lists of our products.
It contains polyphenols: a complex of antioxidant molecules that neutralize free radicals, which are responsible for oxidative stress and a dull complexion.
It also benefits from a high concentration of Vitamin E – commonly used in the cosmetics industry to firm the skin and for its tightening effect. This is the case, for example, with our Tzolk-in 260 cream, which helps combat the signs of skin aging.
Rich in fatty acids, cocoa butter is known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties. The feeling of comfort upon application is immediate, with long-term effects on skin elasticity and suppleness.
This natural ingredient retains water in the skin, thus strengthening the hydrolipidic film, the skin barrier composed of oil and water. This acid mantle covering the skin is a protective shield that maintains the skin's balance. When it is damaged, the skin develops imperfections, an uneven texture, and becomes generally more sensitive.
Highly concentrated in cocoa butter, Balm of the Gods can be applied from head to toe to protect and nourish skin and hair. It boasts a multitude of uses: on hair, it tames unruly strands and intensely nourishes the hair fiber. It nourishes, protects, and hydrates the skin on the body, providing antioxidant and restorative benefits. On the face, it can be used as a nourishing cream or as a mask when applied in a thick layer.
Like the chocolate that fills the kitchen cupboards, Balm of the Gods is appreciated by all members of the family: it can be used by the youngest as well as the oldest.
FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE BATHROOM
It is for all its properties that Théobroma chose cocoa butter as its star ingredient. We have chosen to make it the cornerstone of our range, both for its fascinating history and its scientific reputation.
Like the finest chocolates, our products are made to be enjoyed with pleasure. However, they have one advantage that toast doesn't: they will only bring you good things.
