Raw Cacao Powder –Nutritional Benefits & Recipes

When you hear “cacao”, you’re all ears right? Whoever’s hated chocolate eh? Well, what most of us or some of us do not know, are the many nutritional benefits of chocolate. In our following discourse we shall not only talk about the nutritional benefits of Raw Cacao Powder but also speak of a few recipes of yummy yet healthy foods that can be made from chocolate. To the Aztecs or the Ancient Mayans, the cacao beans were considered to be the food of the deities. They were used for sacrifices, offerings etc. it is from these “divine” beans do we get what is called ‘chocolate’. The more the days pass by, new researches are done on cacao, which prove how nutritionally beneficial raw cacao or dark chocolate is. In fact, their popularity seems to far exceed the popularity of processed chocolate recently.

Identifying Raw Cacao

In the Central part of America, a small evergreen tree produces cacao beans. The raw cacao beans have the taste similar to nuts which is found while eating dark chocolate. However, the beans are a lot bitterer as compared with dark chocolate. Raw Cacao is eaten by themselves or are added to cereals, desserts. But due to its bitter taste, people prefer using honey along with it.

Nutrients That are Present in Raw Cacao

Each pealed cocoa bean has about 130 calories per ounce serving. Out of this, 110 calories emanate from fats, the beans comprise of 12 grams of fat at each serving out of which seven grams are saturated. Moreover Cacao is rich in antioxidants, lower free radicals as well as magnesium. Cacao also contains calcium along with iron.

Health Benefits

Researches have revealed that dark chocolate or raw cacao kindles the discharge of endorphins in the human body. This means that raw cacao can act as anti-depressants. Cacao being rich in antioxidants helps in the reduction of blood pressure and improves circulation. It is because of this reason that those who promote raw cacao claim that they are more beneficial than processed chocolate.

Recipe
Flourless Cacao Cake

1. Preheat first, the oven to about hundred and fifty degrees Celsius. Now grease an 8 inch cake pan with butter and then, dust it with cacao.
2. On top of the double boiler over lightly boiling water melt chocolate and butter. Now, take them out from the heat and blend in Raw Cacao Powder, eggs, vanilla and then pour into the pan
3. Bake in the preheated oven for almost thirty minutes. Then let it cool for ten minutes first upon the pan then on the wire-rack and when cooled, serve!

There are plenty of other uses of Raw Cacao Powder which are nutritious. If you’re looking for delicious and nutritious good quality chocolate that is healthy, do visit the chocolate section of Nourish Me Organics.