A few days ago, we received a visit from a good friend at my house. He brought a few things with him that he left in our living room while he was washing his hands.

Among so many things, one of his bags had a very pleasant aroma and we immediately knew what the smell was: it was cocoa.

However, on this occasion, it was not the aromatic and delicious cocoa balls, but the cocoa shell.

He soon told us that his grandmother did not discard the shell. On the contrary, he used them to improve some discomforts, among them cramps.

This triggered my curiosity and I proceeded to investigate and this is what I found about the properties of the cocoa shell.

Properties of the cocoa shell

The cocoa shell is obtained after peeling or removing the layer that covers the cocoa bean. Its texture is dry, crisp and dark brown.

It is rich in vitamin A and C. In addition, the cocoa shell provides fiber, magnesium, calcium and contains a large amount of antioxidants. It has a pleasant smell that can be used to aromatize any space.

Also, thanks to its great amount of antioxidants it becomes a good energizer so it can be used to restore strength when tiredness and fatigue take over our body.

What is the cocoa shell used for?

This shell is used to improve some conditions related to asthma, diarrhea and colic, exactly as Grandma had said. However, it should be consumed with caution, especially by people who have a tendency to suffer from hypertension and constipation.

How is the cocoa shell prepared?

There are several ways to consume this shell, but the most used is as an infusion. To make it you just have to boil some water and pour some of the shell. Cover it and let it rest and then drink it hot. It tastes bitter, according to the words of my friend's grandmother.

_{Remember, plants offer us many alternatives to relieve many discomforts, but their consumption must be monitored by us.}

_{The central picture was taken with a Vtelca phone.
The dividers were made by me using powerpoint.
The translation was done with the Deepl translator}