Food of the Gods
The rain gently tapped against the window, as if in rhythm with the music one could hear coming from the living room. Freya was sitting in the kitchen, lost in thought – such weather felt both calming and nostalgic. As the song played on the radio changed, she heard the first sublime notes of the famous song by The Verve…
“(…) It’s a bittersweet symphony, that’s life…” – she hummed, smiling.
- What are you murmuring there? – Freya’s beloved’s voice woke her up from a trance
- Now I get it… – she said, turning a perfectly square, brown piece between her fingers. – why I always loved this song.
Magnus glanced questioningly at her. Freya put the square into her mouth, closed her eyes, and smiled with pleasure.
- Bittersweet… Yeah… – her voice dreamy and content. – This must be the taste of love.
***
The sun was lazily rising over the horizon, casting its first rays on the tropical greenery. While the air remained pleasantly cool, one could already feel the upcoming summer heat… It was going to be another beautiful day at the Sueños Negros plantation, where an old, solid, and still charming hacienda was hidden. The chirping of exotic birds, along with the gentle hum of the nearby river, slowly brought it to life. In the bedroom upstairs, Magnus was still snoring, fast asleep, but Freya – being Freya – jumped out of bed at sunrise for her daily ritual in the garden. A glass of hot water, a yoga session followed by a cold shower, and then her absolutely favorite moment of each morning – a few minutes of meditation with a delicious cup of café con leche. She felt a pleasant wave of gratitude for this simple, beautiful life enveloping her entire being.
Who would have thought that fate would take them here – to the heart of the Amazon jungle! Just as unexpectedly as it had sent her the man she wanted to share her passions with – for creating, exploring, and tasting the world in so many ways – it suddenly bestowed them both with this extraordinary woman.
– Buenos días, pretty lady! – said Doña Gladys with a smile, appearing before Freya out of the blue. – I guess it’s time to stop this coffee break? The sun is already scorching, and the work won’t do itself!
– Si, señora! – Freya saluted with a smile, eagerly jumping up to help her friend.
Dear friend, who had become their mother, guide, and the most wonderful teacher. The bustling, colorful Tarapoto market square that had greeted them upon landing flashed before Freya’s eyes. The direction to Peru had been a random choice – literally putting a finger on the first spot on the map, that’s how they ended up in this cute little town. They both dreamed of an adventure that would allow them to discover the unknown… and just like that! They fell straight into another chance encounter, which transformed into a deep bond. First love on the plane, and now this endearing elderly woman inviting Freya and Magnus to her hacienda with open arms… How cinematic! She giggled at the memory of that remarkable day.
***
- Take it – said the mysterious señora to Magnus, stretching out her hand. A small, dark seed resembling a coffee bean was shining in her palm. – When you look at it very closely, with the desire to truly see it – she caressed its gentle surface. – You’ll discover all the shades of love that exist in this world.
Freya could see a light blush creeping onto Magnus’s face as he tried to hide his embarrassment. He started to roll the cocoa bean in his hand with a curious gaze – as if it was a small treasure found in the midst of a vast jungle.
- There’s no diamond in this world, no matter how gorgeous, that matches its value – Doña Gladys pointed at the seed, apparently reading his mind as she pointed at the seed.. – Theobroma cacao. The food of the Gods. Yes… – she smiled mischievously. – No doubt the intoxicating star of the Olympic Pantheon, and you must have tried it many times in our modern, most popular form.
- Chocolate? – guessed Freya. – This place is a…
- Plantation, that’s right. – the woman nodded. – Coca farming is my biggest love. My passion. My entire life. Not many people realize how much magic and richness there is in this inconspicuous little bean.
Freya and Magnus listened with fascination. Sweets were obviously an inherent, utterly important part of their lives – and mutual passion which brought them together. They both adored chocolate, but never really dived into the secret of its manufacture. For their flagship bars there was delicious ciocolato fondente and bianco recommended and shipped by their Italian friends and it was great enough for them.
- What exactly makes cocoa so special? – asked Magnus, who could not take his eyes off the little gem in his palm.
Gladys gave him another mysterious smile.
- My dear, what is now commonly known as chocolate used to carry a much deeper meaning. In Mayan culture, cocoa was a symbol of wealth, used in many rituals celebrating the gift and joy of life. Interestingly enough, the beans you’re holding could also be used as a form of currency!
– Really? – Freya asked in disbelief, leaning in closer.
– Oh yes, mi niña. In ancient times, cocoa beans were a precious commodity. Girls and boys dreamed of them – the more they had, the more special things they could buy. – Gladys patiently explained, somewhat amused by her reaction. – You know, these beans can provide you with greater wealth than just material goods – she added. – Perhaps you have yet to realize, but cocoa truly has extraordinary power.
- What kind of power? – Magnus now showed more engagement in her story.
- Bringing people together. In times of joy and sorrow… drinking hot cocoa together became a common ceremony. – said Gladys on her way to the kitchen.
Left alone for a while, Freya and Magnus exchanged tender glances, their eyes speaking volumes. Their own love story was reflected in the woman’s cocoa tale. Doña Gladys finally came back, holding two cups of dark, steaming beverage.
- Cocoa has the ability to cheer you up, even in your darkest moments. – she continued, helding out the cups toward the couple and coaxing them to drink. – A real miracle of nature, whose power is in full bloom only when the chocolate is made with love…
Freya took a sip and closed her eyes, cherishing the bittersweet ambrosia. She felt a wave of love running through her body. Love for this place’s ambience, its nature, its cocoa. Love for Magnus and this elderly woman. Love for life that brought her so much wealth. A sudden desire to build it all from scratch surprised her – to start their life anew, on an unknown land, in this Peruvian town in the middle of wild jungle.
- Would you mind – she asked Gladys shyly. – What does cocoa cultivation look like?
The very same day Freya managed to convince Magnus to stay on the plantation a bit more time, until they decided what to do next. They stayed with Doña Gladys the entire summer, helping her with everyday chores. Despite her great shape, the woman could already feel signs of aging and was no longer able to take care of the plantation as well as she used to. Freya ang Magnus were happy to offer their young, eager hands and… a curious ear! They absorbed like a sponge all the knowledge passed by the senior, increasingly drawn to the world of cocoa – its history, a wide range of wonderful advantages and the secrets of its cultivation.
- We all love cocoa for its exquisite taste, yet due to high caloric density it became quite infamous. The modern world unjustly stigmatizes love for chocolate… – Gladys sighed, slowly sipping her hot chocolate, unabashedly enjoying the daily ritual.
- Thank heavens I never succumbed to the pressure of diet fads – laughed Freya. – Sweets are life! In moderation, of course, balance is the key to everything in life.
- That’s true – señora agreed with a smile. – Because of these fads we seem to forget about many health benefits cocoa gives us, so rich in flavonoids that regulate blood pressure. About lecithin, magnesium and theobromine, which literally do good for our heart and improve our mood…
- That’s why – Freya cut in. – The darker the chocolate, the better?
- Of course, sí. Dark chocolate is the most precious one, and it’s very beneficial for our brain too. – Gladys nodded. – As you rightly pointed out , it’s all about balance, and it’s crucial to perfectly measure the level of bitterness paired with sweetness… To create the most delicious chocolate is a real work of art.
That’s how, from one tale to another, accompanied by endless cups of their beloved hot beverage, as the days went by, Freya and Magnus’ friendship with Dona Gladys grew stronger – until it transformed into a deep bond. They started by helping the woman with planting the cocoa trees and stayed for half a year, surprised by the time of harvest. Gladys kept sharing her secrets – about how to ferment the seeds, how to recognize ripe fruits… Finally the time came to reveal the biggest mystery of Gladys’ private life. Not once, not twice, they wondered why she was running the plantation all alone, with the sole company of a beloved cat, tenderly providing her ‘human’ touch, and a very talkative parrot. One day, when they finished dining together, the woman opened before Magnus and Freya the door to a story they had never dared to ask about.
With emotion, they listened to the story of Gladys and Miguel, the sailor, and the extraordinary passion that united them – the same passion that brought Freya and Magnus together. They loved this land and together dedicated a significant part of their lives to nurturing its soil, cultivating the cocoa fields and sharing the fruits of their hard work with the world. However, Miguel’s love for the seas and oceans was just as vast as his love for the woman, making it impossible for Gladys to keep him at home. She accepted this, although each “goodbye” said before another of his journeys into the endless waters filled her with fear.
- He hasn’t come back from the last one, – she ended the story with a sigh. – yet… and I’m still waiting. My heart will never be able to love a man ever again. – Freya and Magnus, touched, felt their throats tightening. They noticed tears of emotion in the old woman’s eyes, which she quickly covered with a somewhat sad smile. – There’s a place for just one handsome dark fellow: cocoa!
Freya and Magnus exchanged glances, full of understanding. Would they be able to share life with somebody other than each other?
- When you’re in your element, when your hearts beat to the rhythm of the jungle, the seeds reveal their full potential. – They both looked at Gladys perplexed. – Si, queridos. I can see the same flame of passion and connection between you. – She made them blush now.
- We can say cocoa is not only nourishment for the body, but an art for the soul… – she continued, peeking at the seed in the man’s palm. – The entire process, from planting, through harvest, to fermenting, is a dance with nature, requiring great patience and passion. You have to give a bit of yourself away to extract what’s very best.
- Yes, it is a daunting task. – Magnus agreed, still holding the bean tight. – It seems like every seed hides some undiscovered mystery.
- I have a feeling… – Freya smiled mischievously – that you’re trying to tell us something else. – Well, when it comes to interpersonal skills, she was on way higher level than Magnus, who just looked between her and Gladys, slightly confused.
- I am, indeed. – Señora admitted. – I’d like to… it’s my biggest dream… Would you stay and become the keepers of these seeds, the guardians of their mysteries?
Although Freya and Magnus had suspected this, they couldn’t hide their surprise and
emotion. Touched, they took Doña Gladys’ old, work-worn hands and looked at her lovingly.
– You have been living here with me for so long, and I know you have grown to love this unhurried life in harmony with nature. – I can see how much you have changed since our first meeting – no longer so hot-headed and rushed, but more relajados, appreciating these beautiful, small moments… – For a moment, she paused, as if searching for the right words, then added in a slightly trembling voice: – I am completely alone here, and besides you, I have no one. You have become not only wonderful friends to me, but the beloved children I was never gifted with. With you by my side, my life is truly pura vida; who knows how much longer I’m meant to enjoy this bliss…
Magnus wanted to object, but Freya gave him a light nudge and scolded with a look saying, “shush, don’t interrupt!”
– Please, stay. Continue my work. Mine and Miguel’s. Your hearts will beat together with the jungle, and you will discover anew, every day and with greater passion, all the shades and flavors of love.
– Yes, and you will be their guardians – Gladys added, her eyes sparkling. – Your hearts will beat together with the jungle. Listen, observe, and feel. Everything around you has something to say. In love for cocoa, and for the tree that bears it, you will find the peace you seek.
Magnus hugged Freya and their hearts filled with warmth. They knew this journey would be not only physical, but also spiritual, opening new horizons and possibilities.
- And remember… – added Gladys, moved by the sight of their embrace, – that every fruit has its own magical tale.
***
- Daaarling… – Magnus, basking in the sun on the terrace, kept chatting with Freya while she tried to prepare dinner.
- Yes, love? – she replied sarcastically, trying not to cut herself chopping a lemon. She didn’t like being interrupted during these little daily rituals, and meal preparation was one of them. “What is it this time?”
- You know what they say – he approached her and grabbed the sour fruit from the kitchen table – when life gives you lemons…?
Freya rolled her eyes. – Chunk it right back? You want to drink, help yourself, my meat is about to burn here! – she rushed towards the oven, and Magnus started laughing. He went up to his lady love and grabbed her by the shoulders.
- Inhale, exhale. Relax, it’s just dinner. – Freya sighed. He was right, after all, nobody was chasing her. Living in Tarapoto they’d learned the pleasure of slow life, meditation, and contemplating the beauty of nature… Why, it was her who instilled this attitude into Magnus! Yet, for some unknown reason, sometimes a different Freya entered her – always in a hurry, nervous, as if she felt she had missed some element of the whole puzzle…
– I know what you’re missing. – Magnus pulled her out of her thoughts. She was surprised at how often he seemed to read her mind.
– Okay, mister – she glanced at him suspiciously. – Better tell me what brilliant idea you came up with this time. What’s going on in your head with those lemons?
– Lemons are just lemons – he picked up their beloved, perfectly imperfect brown seed. – When life gives you cocoa…? – Magnus meaningfully looked around, and Freya followed his gaze. Surrounding them, there was everything they loved and needed: scattered crumbs of pistachios, sun-dried plums, ripe raspberries. Sweet honey. And just like that, she understood.
– Naami Naammm – she murmured, placing the bean in her mouth and kissing him sweetly.
And just like that, the first sweet fruit was born.
And just like that, #NaamLoveStory began.
The next piece belongs to You.
