Cacao? Cocoa? Chocolate? 🤷♀️
Raw cacao products (nibs, powder), are made from the fermented and dried cocoa bean, also called cacao bean, (which is actually a pod containing pulp and seeds - the seeds get fermented and dried).
Cocoa powder is made from fermented, dried and ROASTED cocoa/cacao beans.
The heated temperatures in roasting changes the make up of the product, therefore, altering the nutrients. It is at this stage the nonfat solids and the fat (cocoa butter) can be extracted. The fat can be removed to make cocoa powder. Or kept in to make chocolate. Chocolate can have added sugars and flavors.
Raw cacao nibs and powder are less processed (no roasting) than cocoa products and retain more nutrients without added sugar.
In general, the darker the chocolate, the higher cacao content (70% - 85% cocoa). Higher cacao content means higher fiber, and mineral content, (including iron, selenium, magnesium, chromium, manganese), and tryptophan, an amino acid the body uses to make serotonin - the calming hormone.
Raw cacao, or least processed (less heat applied), will also contain more antioxidants. Cooking or heat may destroy the antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Cacao nibs and powder definitely taste differently than more processed chocolate. Enjoy in moderation - they still contain calories and cacao/cocoa products have been found to contain cadmium, a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the soil of some regions of countries where cocoa is grown and produced. Think a serving or less - sprinkle here and there - adding to smoothies, oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt on occasion.
STELL CUT OATS WITH BLUEBERRIES, FLAX SEEDS, CACAO POWDER, & CINNAMON:
Ingredients
1 serving Steel cut oats cooked to directions on package
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup blueberries
1 -2 teaspoons cacao nibs or powder
1 T ground flax seeds