Among the side effects of chemotherapy received by cancer patients is the loss of taste, which may make the foods preferred to patients, such as chocolate, without any flavor at all.
Spanish chef Jordi Rocca, a Michelin star, suffers from a rare neurological disease that affects his voice and his ring. This makes him wonder if he has lost the sense of taste altogether.
His friend, chef Orio Blanes, has been suffering from a loss of taste two years ago, which has inspired Rocca to create the "Cocoa Sensation" experience, which has turned into a documentary.
The Roca project works with cancer patients and other diseases, a group of neuroscientists and taste experts to create a new flavor of cocoa that patients can taste through their own memories.
"It was as if candy had a beating heart, the pulse of life I was fighting for," said Susana Quipedo, who was hit hard by a chocolate-made dessert made by Rocca.
Quipido was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was one of seven patients who tasted chocolate candy created by Rocca.
Rocca said his challenge was to help patients regain the ability to taste different types of chocolate through mouth, eye and touch.