Cacao powder is got by crushing cacao beans.
Cacao beans are got from cacao pods that are the fruits of the Theobroma cacao tree.
This tree is found primarily in the tropical and Equatorial regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
When the cacao pods ripen, they are cut and the cacao beans are taken out and used to make various products.
Each cacao pod produces 30-50 cacao beans.
These light-colored beans take on a darker hue when they are dried before processing.
There are 3 main types of cacao beans produced all over the world – Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario.
Since the terms cacao and cocoa are used interchangeably, people are confused and wonder if they are the same or different products.
Cacao beans are the raw form and when other ingredients like milk, sugar and other additives are added, they make cocoa powder, chocolate etc.
Raw cacao beans were called ‘food of the gods’ for the various benefits they provide. They are a rich source of powerful antioxidants like polyphenols – a flavonoid.
They also contain dietary fibers – both soluble and insoluble, carbohydrates, protein, monounsaturated fats like oleic acid that do not increase blood cholesterol levels, some amounts of caffeine and theobromine that are stimulants and anti-depressants, minerals like calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, iron and potassium and vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, C, A, E, and pantothenic acid.
Raw cacao powder is made using cacao beans without exposing it to temperatures greater than 116 degrees F. Cacao beans are cold pressed to make a paste at these temperatures.
Now the fats and oils found in the beans are extracted.
The remaining paste is cold ground and we get raw cacao powder. It has a tasty, nutty, chocolate flavor.
Processing at low temperatures retains all the essential nutrients in raw cacao powder. Cocoa powder is made when the same cacao beans are processed at high temperatures and additives are mixed.
Now, the heat-sensitive nutrients, especially antioxidants get destroyed and it will not have the same nutritional value as raw cacao powder.
While the FDA guidelines states that cacao powder and cocoa powder refer to the same product, cacao powder usually means the raw, unsweetened powder and cocoa powder refers to the product that still has some of the cocoa butter to enhance flavor.
Benefits and Uses of Raw Cacao Powder
Raw cacao powder offers the flavors of chocolate while still retaining all the goodness of various nutrients.
The flavors depend on the type of cacao bean used with Criollo being considered the rarest, premium variety with the best flavors.
Raw cacao powder offers potent antioxidant value having the top score in the ORAC scale of 95,500.
It contains natural mood stimulants that elevate moods and promote relaxation such as anandamide called ‘bliss chemical’ and arginine an essential amino acid that helps to reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
Therefore, raw cacao powder is called an aphrodisiac that can improve sexual function.
High levels of magnesium in cacao powder promote heart health, build strong bones and induce feelings of calmness and relax muscles.
Other minerals and nutrients can reduce blood clots, dilate blood vessels, regulate heartbeat, improve circulation, lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure, therefore reducing risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Tryptophan found in natural, raw cacao powder, is an amino acid that helps us relax and cures insomnia.
A cup of hot chocolate made using raw cacao powder will give us a good night’s sleep. Sulfur present in it helps build strong nails, beautiful skin, detoxifies the liver and helps optimal functioning of the pancreas.
Raw cacao powder is simple to use. Just sprinkle it in smoothies, yoghurt, blended drinks, cereal or oatmeal or any other recipe that requires processed cocoa powder.
Now, you get the taste and flavor of cocoa with the added health benefits of raw cacao. Raw cacao powder can be stored in cool places like the refrigerator.
Nutritional Facts for Raw Cacao Powder
The following is the nutrition facts for unsweetened, dry cacao powder provided by Nutrition Data for a 1 cup or 86g serving size.
- Calories 196
- Calories from fat – 99
- Total fat – 12g (18% DV)
- Saturated fat – 7g (35% DV)
- Trans Fat
- Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV)
- Sodium – 18mg (1% DV)
- Total carbohydrates – 50g ((17% DV)
- Dietary fiber – 29g (114% DV)
- Sugars – 2g
- Protein – 17g
- Vitamin A – 0%
- Vitamin C – 0%
- Calcium – 11%
- Iron – 66%
DV or daily value is calculated on a 2000 calorie diet. This varies with each individual depending on dietary requirements.
According to Nutrition Data, while this food contains high levels of saturated fats, it is very low in sodium and cholesterol content and offers good source of dietary fiber, potassium, zinc, protein, iron, phosphorous, magnesium and manganese.
Recipe Using Raw Cacao Powder
Most of us love chocolate milkshakes and are afraid of the calories it contains. Here is a simple recipe that uses raw cacao powder that gives us plenty of healthy nutrients and the flavor of rich chocolate.
- Nuts – 1 cup – e.g. almonds, walnuts
- Water – 4 cups
- Dates – 4-6
- Raw cacao powder – ¼ cup or to taste
- Vanilla bean extract – 1 tbsp
- Cinnamon and cardamom – ¼ to ½ tsp
- Bananas – 2
Raw almond butter – 1 tbsp (optional)
Blend the nuts and water at high speed, strain using a cheesecloth or strainer. Retain the milk, clean the blender and replace the milk.
Add the remaining ingredients until they are all blended well. Serve your shake immediately or after chilling for some time.
Precaution
Raw cacao powder offers the best benefits before processing.
In excess, cacao can cause side effects like migraines, sleeplessness, anxiety or excess urination due to an overdose of caffeine. So, make sure you do not exceed daily recommended levels.
A warning needs to be heard by anyone using Raw Organic Cacao powder in their daily medicine-food eating program. While it is true that this food is full of many powerful phytochemicals, it is also true that Raw Cacao Powder is also a highly acid-forming food and among thousands of comparisons for what to eat, this is listed along with Roasted Coffee Beans ("coffee"). The acid-forming quality of a food is the chief determinant for that foods ability to prevent, reverse, and treat Cancer and any disease you want to discuss, because when the body is trying to detox it will become highly sensitive to acid-forming foods. Acid-forming foods are not the same thing as acid-foods (like lemons). It is the end-product impact that matters. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment and are hampered (and even starved to death) by an alkaline body environment. It is widely believed by the top Alternative Naturopathic Oncologists and Herbalists that it is pretty much guaranteed that we all have cancer cells inside us at birth and carry them throughout life. It is when we allow ongoing exposure to carcinogens and feed the type of biological environment which favors cancer cell growth, that we come down with cancer. As an experienced Alternative Cancer Survivor, I have had to look very closely at all of my favorite "organic" habits, and this includes presuming that if it was a whole, organic, raw, natural food, that it was therefore healthy. Healthy so long as you are not working day and night to alkalize your body with expensive juices, smoothies, herbs, and dietary restrictions which would be totally negated by high level consumption of Raw Cacao (one of my absolute favorite foods). Bottom line, if you are now (or ever) self-treating for Cancer, you need to remove the most acid-forming foods (animal foods, most grains, processed foods, food chemicals, allergic foods, acid-forming foods) at least during the initial phases of what is called Apoptosis (cancer cell death). Hopefully someone reading this will benefit from this information about focusing on alkalizing the body because I had to learn this the very hard way which translates into unnecessary organ damage while consuming my world-class Cancer Reversal Diet which also included plenty of Organic Coffee and Cacao. Avoiding Acid-forming Foods is the research topic here - educate yourself!
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