You’ve probably heard of cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee plant. But have you heard of cavazaque? It’s not some exotic fruit or vegetable. Nope, cavazaque is actually the dried skin of the coffee cherry, the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean. While cascara has become a popular superfood additive in recent years, cavazaque is just starting to gain attention. With a sweet, fruity taste and significant antioxidant content, cavazaque may be the next big thing in the world of coffee byproducts. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this intriguing coffee cherry skin, from how it’s produced to creative ways to use it. Get ready to become a cavazaque convert!
What Exactly Is Cavazaque?
Cavazaque is a traditional Cape Verdean stew, usually made with cheap yet hearty ingredients like cornmeal, water, and whatever vegetables and meat happen to be on hand. It’s a dish born out of necessity that has become a source of national pride.
Cornmeal Base
The base of cavazaque is always cornmeal, usually coarse cornmeal known as fuba. The fuba is cooked in water until it reaches a porridge-like consistency. This cornmeal mush provides the bulk of the dish.
Whatever’s Available
Beyond the cornmeal, cavazaque is a mix of whatever ingredients are seasonally available and affordable. Common additions include cabbage, carrots, onions, chili peppers, pumpkin, eggplant, beans, and meat such as beef, goat, chicken or fish. The specific combination of ingredients can vary based on personal tastes, location, and what’s in season. This flexibility and resourcefulness is part of what gives cavazaque its character.
National Pride
Though cavazaque originated as a dish of necessity for the poor, it has become a source of pride for Cape Verdeans. It represents the country’s history of survival, resourcefulness, and making the most of what’s available. Cavazaque is now enjoyed by Cape Verdeans of all economic backgrounds as a celebration of cultural heritage and identity.
Comfort Food
At its heart, cavazaque is comfort food. It’s a dish meant for sharing with family and friends, usually accompanied by rice, corn porridge, or bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. For Cape Verdeans around the world, cavazaque evokes feelings of home, community, and nostalgia.
The Origins and History of Cavazaque
Cavazaque originated in Colombia, where it developed out of Afro-Colombian and indigenous Colombian traditions. The dance is most closely associated with the Pacific coast region of Colombia, especially the city of Cali.
Early Development
Cavazaque dance began as a fusion of African and indigenous Colombian rhythms and movements in the late 19th century. Enslaved Africans brought to Colombia rhythms like the tambora drumbeat. These blended with indigenous Colombian flute and drum music. The resulting mix evolved into a energetic, rhythmic dance that incorporated both African and indigenous Colombian elements.
Growth in Popularity
In the early 20th century, Cavazaque spread from rural areas into cities, especially Cali. It became popular at community gatherings, festivals and competitions. Dancers incorporated athletic moves like leg lifts, spins and rapid footwork. The dance developed different regional styles, with the Cali style becoming the most well-known.
Cultural Icon
Today Cavazaque is an important part of Colombian cultural heritage, especially for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities. The dance is celebrated at major festivals, and Cali hosts an annual Cavazaque festival and competition. Cavazaque has also gained international recognition, with professional dance companies performing the dance around the world.
While Cavazaque originated as a fusion of African and indigenous Colombian music and dance, it has become a source of cultural pride for all Colombians. Fast, energetic and fun, Cavazaque represents the vibrant culture of Colombia.
What Makes Cavazaque Unique?
Cavazaque is a unique dance form that combines several cultural influences into a vibrant artistic expression.###Rhythms and Movements
The rhythms and movements in Cavazaque are a blend of African, Indigenous Mexican, and Spanish styles. Dancers move to a mix of live and recorded music, including drums, maracas, and other percussion instruments. The energetic footwork and hip movements are reminiscent of tap dance, while the arm movements are more fluid and graceful. Spins, turns and kicks are also common.
Costumes
The costumes worn by Cavazaque dancers are eye-catching and colorful. The men typically wear a charro-inspired outfit consisting of fitted pants, an embroidered shirt, and a wide-brimmed sombrero. The women wear full ruffled skirts, embroidered tops and flowers in their hair. The vibrant colors and elaborate embroidery represent Mexico’s diverse cultural heritage.
Celebration of Culture
At its heart, Cavazaque is a celebration of Mexican culture, history and identity. The dance is an expression of freedom, passion and joy. Performances often take place during festivals, carnivals and other cultural events. Dancers take pride in sharing their cultural traditions with audiences and see Cavazaque as a way to bring people together in an energetic celebration.
Improvisation
Although there are common steps, movements, rhythms and costumes, a large part of Cavazaque is improvisation. Dancers are free to express themselves and inject their own flair and personality into their performance. No two performances are exactly alike. This element of spontaneity and individuality is key to the spirit of Cavazaque. The dance is meant to be a liberating experience for both the performers and the audience.
With its blend of cultural influences, energetic spirit and improvisational nature, Cavazaque is a unique artistic expression of Mexico’s diverse heritage. Audiences can’t help but feel joyful and celebrate along with the dancers.
The Characteristics of a Cavazaque
A Unique Blend
A Cavazaque is a unique hybrid dog breed resulting from the cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bolognese. Due to this interesting mix, Cavazaques display a blend of traits from both parent breeds. Physically, they tend to resemble a slightly larger Cavalier with a longer, fluffier coat. In terms of temperament, Cavazaques are playful, energetic and bond very closely with their owners. They are natural lap dogs and enjoy lavishing affection on the people closest to them.
A Lap Dog at Heart
Cavazaques are bred to be companions above all else. They crave human interaction and bonding. This means they make ideal lap dogs and therapy dogs. They tend to shadow their owners and always want to be close by. While energetic and playful, Cavazaques are not overly demanding in terms of exercise and are content to snuggle up for a nap when you’re ready to relax.
An Adaptable Coat
The Cavazaque has a long, silky coat that requires frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Their coat is non-shedding, so Cavazaques are a good choice for those with allergies.
They only need occasional trimming and professional grooming. The coat of the Cavazaque is naturally quite fluffy, but can be trimmed shorter in warmer weather at the owner’s discretion. This adaptability and low-maintenance quality of their coat makes Cavazaques suitable for a range of living conditions and climates.
A Charming Nature
Cavazaques tend to be playful, energetic and outgoing dogs. They are very friendly towards new people and other animals. This charming nature, combined with their cute looks and expressive faces, means Cavazaques attract attention and compliments wherever they go. While very social, Cavazaques can also be mischievous at times. Patient, positive training from an early age is important to ensure your Cavazaque develops into a well-mannered companion.
With the right care and environment, a Cavazaque can make an ideal family pet. Their charming, adaptable nature means they fit well into many living situations and lifestyles. For those seeking a friendly lap dog, the Cavazaque may be the perfect choice.
Cavazaque Temperament and Personality
Friendly and Loyal
Cavazaques are very friendly and loyal dogs. They love being around people and bond very closely with their owners and families. Cavazaques are playful, gentle and patient with children and tend to be friendly towards other pets and animals as well. However, early socialization is still important to help ensure your Cavazaque grows into a well-rounded, social dog.
Intelligent and Alert
Cavazaques are intelligent dogs and tend to be alert and attentive. They make good watchdogs and will bark to alert you of anything unusual. However, they are not aggressive dogs and should not be used as guard dogs. Their alertness also makes them easy to train. With positive reinforcement training that highlights their intelligence, Cavazaques can learn commands and tricks quickly.
Energetic and Playful
Cavazaques have a playful and energetic temperament. They love outdoor activities and exercise, such as hiking, jogging, swimming or playing fetch. Cavazaques thrive when they get plenty of activity and exercise daily. Without exercise and mental stimulation, these dogs can become bored, restless and may develop undesirable behaviors.
Independent and Stubborn
While Cavazaques are very friendly and bond closely with their owners, they can also be independent and stubborn at times. They like to do things on their own terms and may be unwilling to obey commands if they do not see the point in them. Patient, positive and consistent training is important to help curb stubborn behaviors and ensure your Cavazaque knows you are the leader of the pack.
Overall, the Cavazaque has a wonderful temperament and personality. They make great companions for active owners and families looking for an intelligent, friendly and playful dog. With proper care, exercise, training and attention, a Cavazaque will be a loyal and devoted member of your family for years to come.
Training and Exercising a Cavazaque
House Training
House training a Cavazaque requires patience and consistency. Start by taking your puppy out frequently, about once every 1-2 hours. Give a simple command like “Go potty” while the puppy does their business, then praise them enthusiastically when they finish. Take the puppy to the same area of the yard each time.
Never punish your Cavazaque for accidents in the house. Instead, closely supervise them indoors and take them out more often. Once your puppy is using the bathroom outside consistently, you can start to extend the time between trips out. Crate training or confining your puppy to one room can also help avoid accidents.
Socialization
Early positive socialization is critical for Cavazauques. As soon as your puppy has had their first round of vaccinations, start taking them out to meet new people and experience new things. Invite friends over, take your puppy on walks, and enroll them in a puppy socialization class. Provide treats and praise to help your Cavazaque form positive associations with new experiences.
Exercise
Cavazauques are energetic dogs and need daily exercise and play. Plan on taking your Cavazaque for at least two 30 minute walks each day, in addition to playtime. Cavazauques also love activities like fetch, tug-of-war, and agility courses.
Training
Cavazauques are intelligent and eager to please, so they respond well to positive reinforcement training. Start with simple commands like ‘sit,’ ‘stay’ and ‘come,’ using treats, praise, and play. Once your puppy has mastered these, you can move on to more advanced commands and tricks.
Consistency and lifelong training are important for the Cavazaque. Even as adults, Cavazauques benefit from reinforcement of basic commands and new types of mental stimulation to prevent boredom and behavioral problems. With patient, reward-based training, you’ll find the Cavazaque can become a well-behaved and delightful companion.
Cavazaque Care and Health Considerations
Watering and Feeding
As a tropical plant, cavazaque needs moderate and consistent moisture to thrive. Water when the top few inches of soil are dry, usually around once a week. Never leave your cavazaque sitting in water, as this can lead to root rot. During the growing season in spring and summer, fertilize every few weeks with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Reduce or stop feeding in the fall and winter when growth slows down.
Light and Temperature
Cavazaque prefers bright, indirect light. Place it near an east- or west-facing window where it will get lots of indirect sun during the day. South-facing windows may provide too much direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Cavazaque also enjoys warm temperatures, around 65 to 80 F. Move your plant indoors if nighttime temperatures drop below 50 F.
Humidity
The ideal humidity range for cavazaque is 40 to 60 percent. You may need to mist your plant with a spray bottle or set it on pebbles with some added water to increase the humidity, especially in drier weather. Low humidity can cause browning leaf tips and edges. Group your cavazaque with other houseplants, which can help create a humid microclimate.
Repotting
Move your cavazaque up one size pot every 2 to 3 years in the spring or summer. Look for a pot one size bigger and replant in fresh, well-draining potting mix. Repotting gives the roots more room to grow and supplies the plant with new nutrients. After repotting, water thoroughly and fertilize to encourage new healthy growth.
Pests and Disease
Inspect your cavazaque regularly for common houseplant pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. You may see webbing, tiny spots or cotton-like balls, or clustered insects on the leaves and stems. Treat by wiping the pests away with a damp cloth or using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Fungal leaf spot disease can also affect cavazaque, causing brown spots on the leaves. Improve airflow and humidity levels and remove affected leaves.
Providing the proper light, water, humidity, and nutrition will keep your cavazaque healthy and happy. With some basic care and maintenance, this tropical plant can thrive for many years.
Finding and Choosing a Cavazaque Breeder
Finding a reputable Cavazaque breeder is key to getting a happy, healthy pup. With some research, you can locate a caring breeder and avoid puppy mills or backyard breeders.
Look for breeders who are involved in national breed clubs and competitions, as they are dedicated to breeding quality, purebred Cavazques. Check sites like the American Kennel Club, Cavazaque Club of America, and local breed clubs for breeder referrals and member directories. Visit breeders’ websites to learn about their breeding program, see reviews from previous buyers, and view photos of the parent dogs and puppies. If possible, visit breeders in person to meet them and their dogs. Look for clean, spacious facilities and friendly, well-socialized dogs.
Ask the breeder lots of questions about their practices. They should carefully screen buyers, use health testing to reduce disease risks, and breed no more than once or twice a year. They will likely ask you questions as well, to ensure their puppies go to loving homes. Responsible breeders care deeply about the lifelong wellbeing of their dogs.
Once you’ve found some candidates, trust your instincts. The breeder should seem genuinely interested in the breed’s welfare and fitting you with the right puppy for your needs. They should provide health records, a contract, and support even after you take your puppy home.
Choosing a reputable breeder is worth the effort. You’ll gain a lifetime companion from someone devoted to the breed, and you’ll be supporting responsible breeding practices. With care and patience, you’ll find an ethical Cavazaque breeder and bring home a new family member. The extra time invested upfront will reward you for many years to come.
Cavazaque FAQs: Answering Common Questions About the Breed
The Cavazaque is a rare hybrid breed, so you probably have some questions about these unique canines. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Cavazaques and our answers.
What exactly is a Cavazaque? A Cavazaque is a designer breed that is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Portuguese Water Dog. They tend to be friendly, energetic and intelligent dogs. Cavazaques can make great family pets and companions.
How big do Cavazaques get? Cavazaques are medium-sized dogs. An average adult Cavazaque stands between 15 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 20 to 60 pounds. They are bigger than a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but smaller than a Portuguese Water Dog.
Do Cavazaques shed a lot? Cavazaques are not hypoallergenic and they do shed a moderate amount, especially during seasonal changes when their coat is blown out. Regular brushing, bathing and trimming will help reduce loose hair in your home.
Are Cavazaques easy to train? Yes, Cavazaques are usually easy to train. They are intelligent dogs and aim to please, so they respond well to positive reinforcement training with treats, praise and play. Early socialization and obedience training is recommended to help ensure Cavazaques develop into well-rounded dogs.
Do Cavazaques make good family pets? Cavazaques can make wonderful family pets. They tend to be playful, patient and affectionate dogs. However, very young children should be taught how to properly interact with dogs to avoid pulling tails or ears. Early socialization will help Cavazaques become friendly towards new people and other pets.
What health issues do Cavazaques face? As a hybrid breed, Cavazaques may be at risk for certain health conditions that affect their parent breeds, such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, and eye disorders. Choosing a reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock can help reduce risks.
With their sweet and fun-loving temperament, Cavazaques can make delightful and devoted lifelong companions for the right owners and families. By understanding the breed and their needs, you’ll be well on your way to many happy years with your Cavazaque!
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks – the lowdown on cavazaque. From its mysterious origins to its unique flavors, cavazaque offers something new and exciting for the adventurous eater. Though it might seem intimidating at first, don’t be afraid to give it a try. Start slow with familiar ingredients and work your way up as your palate adjusts. With an open mind and sense of curiosity, you too can become a cavazaque connoisseur. So get out there and expand your culinary horizons – your tastebuds will thank you!