Cacao Shells

[blonberg]

Everybody's using cacao nibs these days, but in my research, I've come across cacao shells. One thread here mentioned picking up these chocolate shells at Home Depot (people use them in gardening to keep away weeds), but there wasn't much more to it than that. Does anybody have any experience in using them?

Right now, I'm planning on infusing my Maibock with cacao and orange. Originally, I was planning on doing both in the whirlpool, and then adding more to the brite, if needed...

Now I am thinking of using some shells in the mash as well...

Thoughts? Amounts if you're in the know?