Raw Cacao Bars Recipe — 4 Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in raw cacao? ›

Raw cacao beans, which are usually sold as cacao nibs, tend to have similar nutritional values to cacao powder. Two tablespoons of them will contain 140 calories, 2 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of fibre. They will also contain about 1 gram of sugar.

The Bottom Line

Use of “cacao” versus “cocoa” on chocolate products is inconsistent. Generally, raw cacao products — made from fermented, dried, unroasted cacao beans — are less processed and healthier. Still, standard dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is a good source of beneficial antioxidants and minerals.

Cacao is very powerful on the central nervous system and eating large quantities can interfere with calcium retention. Don't consume more than 40 grams (or four to six heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao a day.

Cacao powder is packed with flavonoids, which have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to your brain and heart, and help prevent blood clots. The antioxidants in cacao and cocoa may affect how your body responds to insulin, which could lower your chances of diabetes.

Does cacao affect insulin? Cacao contains flavonoids, which may help regulate blood sugar levels. A 2017 review points to the findings of several small studies, which suggest that cacao may help with insulin resistance and slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.

The Cacao Fruit

The pod ranges from 8 to 14 inches long and grows directly from the tree's main branches and trunk. Inside the pod we can find between 10 and 60 cacao beans or seeds depending on the size of the fruit. To make one of our 80 gram chocolate bars we need around 30-35 cacao beans.

The flesh or pulp of cocoa pods can be consumed raw, but the beans inside the pod must be fermented and roasted before they can be consumed. Eating raw cocoa beans can lead to stomach discomfort and may not have the same taste and texture as fermented and roasted beans.

Affordability: Store-bought chocolate, especially mass-produced brands, is typically more affordable than craft chocolate or the cost of premium ingredients used for homemade chocolate. If you're seeking a budget-friendly chocolate treat, store-bought, mass-market options are most cost-effective.

The healthiest way to consume cacao is as unsweetened cacao powder or cacao nibs. Dark chocolate that's at least 72% cacao is another great way to incorporate cacao into your diet. Generally, the higher the chocolate's cacao content, the more antioxidants it will contain.

So what's the difference? The answer is in the heat. Cocoa powder and cacao powder are very similar, the only difference being that cocoa is processed at a much higher temperature (and often packaged cocoa contains added sugar and dairy).

Is cacao really better than coffee? ›

By contrast, cacao's active ingredient, theobromine, reduces cortisol, and is a much more gentle stimulant than caffeine. Cacao is also high in magnesium, a mineral chronically deficient in the western diet, which, according to multiple scientific studies, reduces anxiety and helps us relax.

Rich in magnesium, cacao can promote relaxation and ease tension, potentially aiding restful sleep. However, it's crucial to listen to your body. If you experience any sleep disturbances after consuming evening cacao, it's best to shift your cacao indulgence to an earlier part of the day.

Please avoid consuming cacao if you are taking high doses of SSRIs. Cacao releases serotonin, so it works as a mild antidepressant. When taken with SSRIs that release serotonin chemically it can lead to serotonin syndrome.

Stir 1 tbsp. of raw cacao into your cup of coffee for a boost in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and magnesium. Tip: Look for organic raw cacao to get the most benefits, and learn the difference between raw cacao and cacao powder.

One of the most known active ingredients in cacao is theobromine. This alkaloid is from the same family as cafeïne, but works differently. Theobromine gives you energy, increases your heart rate and dilates your blood vessels at the same time, increasing circulation.

Cocoa products are made from cocoa beans, the kernels of the cocoa fruit. These fruits sprout directly from the trunk and the thicker branches of the cocoa tree. In the wild these trees can grow to a height of 15 metres. In cultivated forms they are kept shorter, up to 4 or 5 metres, in order to facilitate harvesting.

Cacao can be just as energising as coffee but in a dissimilar way as it contains a different natural stimulant. While coffee contains caffeine, cacao is high in the alkaloid theobromine. Both caffeine and theobromine are Methylxanthines.