At the first speaker meeting of 2019 members were deliciously entertained by Jackie Smith.
12 years ago Jackie turned her back on education to start her own business:
www.novachocolates.co.uk giving her the best job in the world, a real life Willy Wonka.
Whilst researching the history of chocolate she found that it has health benefits! It is rich in
nitric oxide and has anti inflammatory properties with the good news being that eating a small
amount each day will not pile on the pounds!
The Cacao bean was discovered in the Amazon in the time of the Mayan people. The beans
were used as currency and they had a higher value than gold. Once the pods are harvested,
the beans which at this stage are pink, are left to dry for 2 – 8 days which turns them brown,
then they are sent for processing; 4,000 beans are needed to make a 1lb bar of chocolate.
The first Chocolate shop was opened in London in 1657 where it was served as a drink, not in
the form that we know it today.
During the evening Jackie handed round samples of the different chocolates; she and
Soroptimist Jill Gooch enjoyed making and decorating chocolate lollipops.
As well as being able to sample the chocolate during the evening members had the
opportunity to buy goods at the end of the evening – as gifts or as treats for themselves!
Photo: l to r June Bould, President, SI Cannock & District; Jackie Smith, Chocolatier