A trek across this 700 ft suspension bridge, over the raging Saripiqui river led me to my treasured Willy Wonka moment! Except this chocolate was indulged in its purest form- aka- I just got a mega dose of the worlds #1 SUPERFOOD- ask about it. I traveled back in time through the Tirimbina forest to a former cacao plantation, and witnessed the artisanal process of how cacao was prepared by the Mayans and Aztecs. 🙏🏻 This incredible tour aids in conserving one of Costa Rica's native plants, the cultivation of which is one of the friendliest to the environment.❤️ I first learned about the incredible benefits of cacao thanks to @davidavocadowolfe ❤️🙏🏻 Cacao refers to the Theobroma Cacao tree- unprocessed and raw. A Cacao pod is a FRUIT. Unfortunately most chocolate we eat in the US has been chemically processed and roasted, destroying all of the antioxidants and flavanols. Not to mention, non-organic chocolate is treated heavily with toxic pesticides and fumigation chemicals, and may also contain GMO products. Gross. Over 70% of the world's cacao is grown by indigenous communities who live in poverty- which is why I urge you to reach for the bar of FAIRLY TRADED chocolate upon your next choco-craving. The benefits of RAW ORGANIC CACAO? Here are a few.. 1) 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. Yes, 40 times. With an ORAC score of 98,000 per 100g. 2) It is the HIGHEST plant-based source of IRON. 3) Chock full of MAGNESIUM for a healthy heart and brain. PS Magnesium is the most deficient mineral in the Western World. 4) More Calcium than Cow's Milk 5) A Natural Mood Elevator and Anti- Depressant. Cacao is a great source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals- serotonin, dopamine, anandamide, and phenylethylamine. Hello HAPPINESS. Cacao was indeed the "FOOD OF THE GODS". King Montezuma drank 50 cups of cacao a day. 5,000 years later and three cups in, I'm already feeling the "happy" effects of this incredible fruit. #TheFuddhist #HandsUpHolidays #Cacao #CacaoPod #Chocolate #Theobroma #CacaoHotSpot #Chocolotale #CostaRica #PuraVida (at Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica)