CACAO VS COCOA

Chocolate is easily ­­­­­the number one comfort food in the world. From cake to ice cream people love to chow down on any form of chocolate, including the basic forms like cacao powder, not to be confused with standard cocoa powder. They may sound very similar but there are a lot of differences between the two.  The main one being that cacao is less processed then it’s doppelganger cocoa. 

They both start off the same, as cacao bean, in a pod, on a cacao tree. The pods are collected and cracked so the beans can be harvested and ground up.  Once ground they remove the cacao butter leaving cacao powder. Cocoa is pretty much done the exact same way BUT it’s processed at a higher temperature and the beans are roasted. As a result of this cocoa has fewer calories but also fewer nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes.

Benefits of Cacao

1: One of the highest food in antioxidants

Beating out blueberries, cacao contains more than 300 compounds that act as antioxidants.

2: It’s great for your heart and brain

The high magnesium content is good for both the heart and the brain. It helps with mental focus. Cacao also contains flavanols which is anti-inflammatory. 

3: It’s a mood booster

Cacao triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like serotonin.

4: Packed with plant-based iron

Raw cacao powder contains 22% of your daily iron in 2 tablespoons!

5: It’s a source of calcium

You get 5% of your calcium with a two-tablespoon serving.

6: Gives you energy

Magnesium gives you energy and cacao is full of it.

Ways to Use Cacao

1: Stir in warm water to suppress appetite and boost energy, well getting a blast of anti-oxidants.

2: It used in a lot of recipes from cakes to cookies.

3: Cacao is commonly used in homemade beauty products.

Here are some of my recipes that use cacao:

 1: Hot chocolate

2: Chocolate Oat Cake

Click here to buy my favourite brand of Cacao. Enter code barb10 for 10% off. 

If you want to request a recipe send me an email or comment the recipe below!

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Be sure to share all your chocolaty creations with me!

Barbara

References:

_{https://begoodorganics.com/cacao-5-little-known-benefits-of-this-amazonian-superfood/}

https://www.righteouslyrawchocolate.com/cacao-vs-cocoa/

_{https://www.foodsforbetterhealth.com/what-is-cacao-the-difference-between-cacao-and-cocoa-27838}