Organic Cacao Superfoods

Organic cacao is a superfood like no other. Cacao is one of the most powerful superfoods on the planet and is filled with rich antioxidants that help improve blood flow to the brain, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure. To top it off, cacao is also an energizing superfood that helps improve mood.

Any raw and organic cacao product will contain roughly the same concentration of nutrients and antioxidants – with some minor variations, such as whether or not the product contains cacao butter. No one superfood listed above is healthier than the next – however, they each offer their own benefits in terms of usefulness. Depending on your needs and the needs of your recipe - you'll find that certain cacao superfoods work better than others. Looking to make healthy brownies? Try using cacao powder in place of cocoa powder and cacao nibs in place of chocolate chips. Looking to make a homemade lip balm? Try using cacao butter! DIY chocolate? Use them all! 

Organic cacao does contain a small amount of naturally occurring caffeine. One serving of cacao is generally considered to have about half the amount of caffeine that you would find in a cup of coffee. However, cacao also contains high levels of theobromine, a plant-based molecule that is similar to caffeine but is considered gentler and non-addictive (unlike caffeine). If you're thinking about staying away from cacao close to bedtime, think again. Cacao is rich in magnesium, which may help you feel more relaxed before bed and can actually help improve the quality of your sleep.

Cacao nibs and cacao paste are made through a similar process of crushing up cacao beans. The key difference between the two is that nibs are only crushed into small, edible pieces (kind of like nature's chocolate chip), while the paste takes the nibs and heats them down into a liquid form. This liquid is then left to solidify, forming the paste. One serving of cacao paste will have a higher concentration of nutrients and a more potent flavour compared to one serving of nibs. Again - it depends what you're going for!

Generally speaking, cacao paste cannot be made from cacao powder. However, cacao paste can be made using cacao nibs or beans. While it is difficult to make a paste from powder, you can make your own cacao powder from cacao paste. Cacao powder is made by grounding up the dried paste that results from pressing nibs.

Yes! When crushed and pressed, cacao nibs form into a dried paste that can then be ground up to make cacao powder. 

Fruit powders like our lucuma or baobab can be incorporated into baked goods as a sweetener, or as a nutrient-packed flavor boost!