An Introduction to Raw Cacao

It’s that one thing that we all love, Chocolate. Milk, dark, white, there are many ways you can enjoy this guilty pleasure. Why do some of us like it so much? Because it’s full of sugar. And why do some of us eat it so much? Because sugar is addictive.

Most chocolate bars are full of refined sugars, dairy and cocoa butter (fat extracted from the cocoa bean). Because of this, the smallest of chocolate bars can have ridiculous high fat content and a terrifying number of calories. So although it tastes great, it really doesn’t do us any favors which is disappointing.

However, all is not lost. Let me introduce you to one of my new favorite products, Raw Cacao.

And that is exactly what it is. Raw and pure. The most natural form of chocolate you can get. The cacao beans are pressed cold, which removes all of the fat, but saves you all the nutrition. When raw cacao is heated, it becomes cocoa. Unrefined cocoa powder isn’t bad for you, but most of the time it has been tampered with and filled with sugars before used in chocolate products.

Raw Cacao is known as one of the greatest superfoods. The nutritional value in this product is excellent, and there are plenty of reasons why you should enjoy it.

Benefits;
• Raw Cacao possess the highest amount of anti-oxidants out of every food in the whole world
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Aids digestion
• It makes you happy! Cacao contains the mood improver, anandamide.

It also includes;
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Sulphur
• Iron
• Chromium
• Phosphorus
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids
• Saturated Fats
• Amino Acids
• Carbohydrates
• Soluble Fiber
• Enzymes

Wow!

You can buy raw cacao in a number of forms, the most popular being powder or ‘nibs’, which are essentially natural chocolate chips. It can be used in a number of ways too. I use it in baking, hot chocolates, healthy bites and even smoothies.

As there is no added sugar, raw cacoa has a naturally slight bitter taste to it, similar to that of dark chocolate. I like to add organic honey and coconut oil to sweeten things up a bit, without adding any artificial sugars to my treat.

There are a number of reasons why you should be enjoying this product. Not only will it make you feel great, cutting the sugars and dairy will help you reach weight loss goals too, so you can look as good as you feel!

I hope you have found this post informative, I am planning on adding some more raw cacao recipes soon, however you can check my previous post for a delicious Vegan Hot Chocolate recipe in which I use this superfood! http://feedyourprettysoul.com/2015/07/06/delicious-vegan-hot-chocolate/

Jess x