Chocolate Is Healthy

Cocoa butter, also referred to as cacao butter, is made by pressing cacao nibs to separate the cacao “butter” from the protein and fiber.  For cacao butter to be raw, this process cannot take place at or above 112 degrees Fahrenheit.  The cocoa “butter,” a naturally occurring fat, separates and solidifies.  It is yellow in color and has a mild, chocolate scent.

Cocoa butter retains the antioxidant properties also found in dark chocolate, but has even more uses.  You can use it for making chocolates or chocolate desserts like ice cream. Despite being high in saturated fats, cocoa butter does not raise cholesterol levels the way other saturated fats do. You can also massage cocoa butter into your skin to help soften and retain moisture.  It’s commonly added as an ingredient in soaps and lotions.

When you’re shopping for raw cocoa butter, look for a producer who ensures there are no contaminants or other unwanted stuff in the product.  It’s commonly sold by the pound and you’re guaranteed to find many uses for cacao butter.

There’s an excellent post over at Raw Epicurean about our favorite subject, raw cacao.  It’s a very straightforward introduction to cacao, where it comes from, how it’s processed and what it tastes like.  It also provides an overview of the nutritional value of cacao, without getting too scientific on us.

Even more exciting, they have a contest going on this month where you can win cacao products, so check it out!

She also provides this great recipe for chocolate sauce:

Chocolate Sauce

Make this sauce ahead; keep refrigerated up to two weeks.

1/2 cup cacao nibs powder
1/2 cup agave, or sweetener of choice [adjust amount as needed]
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.

Makes 3/4 cups

Cacao :: Herb of the Month : Raw Epicurean.

With traditional chocolate chips replaced by cacao nibs and sugar replaced by agave nectar and fruits, you won’t miss the butter and sugar in this no-bake healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe.   Minimal processing of ingredients, and less of a “sugar spike” make this a healthy chocolate treat. It’s also a great treat for kids to make on their own, while learning to measure and combine ingredients.

Clean Eating Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup raisins
½ cup pitted dates
2 cups whole oats
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
4 tbsp. agave or honey
2 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of salt, to taste
½ cup cacao nibs

Directions:

1. Place raisins and dates in food processor and chop into small pieces.
2. Add oats, agave or honey, cinnamon and salt. Process to mix well.
3. Empty into a mixing bowl and add cacao nibs. Mix well.
4. Use a tablespoon measure to portion cookies.  Enjoy immediately or chill before serving for firmer texture.

Clean Eating: Kid-Friendly and Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies | Healthy Endeavors: Developing Healthy Eating Habits for Life!.

As you may know, cacao finds its way into many dishes, both savory and sweet.  But were you aware that chocolate is also a key ingredient in many new cocktails?

Gone are the days of the “alcoholic Fudgesicle.”  Today’s chocolate spirits add bitterness and depth, and not too much of the sweet.  Some are entirely unsweetened, made from cacao nibs, vanilla and rum.

Mixologists are careful with incorporating cacao nibs into mixed drinks.  Sippers may not recognize the true, bitter and heavy taste of chocolate, unaccustomed to the unsweetened version.  Nevertheless, many bars are introducing sophisticated cacao-infused cocktails to adventurous customers.

“Even as they harness chocolate’s bitter and savory notes, these bartenders are proceeding cautiously with customers who might still be thinking milk instead of tequila.

“Sometimes people see chocolate and think ‘alcoholic milkshake,’ ” Patterson says. “If you can steer away from putting ‘chocolate’ in the name of the drink, you have a better chance of explaining things.”

Chocolate-infused spirits with kick, not sugar.

We found this killer list of delicious chocolate gifts including bars, truffles and even chocolate spa treatments.   While we can’t say that every item on this list is healthy, there are some wonderful options either on their own or to create a chocolate gift basket.

Here are a couple of our healthier chocolate favorites:

Alter Eco Dark Cacao Chocolate

“Alter-Eco is a San Francisco based gourmet food company that offers a full line of Fair Trade gourmet chocolate. The ingredients used in the chocolates are sourced from marginalized farming cooperatives in the global south – providing fair wages, direct trade and funding for community development, scholarships, women’s empowerment programs and more. The company offers a unique variety of chocolate bars crafted with passion by a master chocolatier in Switzerland from all natural ingredients and Fair Trade Certified ingredients. Alter-Eco’s Dark Cacao Chocolate blends a fine dark chocolate (73% cocoa) with crunchy nibs of roasted Organic cacao beans—the perfect balance of bitter and sweet! The chocolate is both Fair Trade Certified and USDA certified organic. To make this chocolate, Alter-Eco uses the finest ingredients harvested by the members of the El Ceibo cooperative located in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon who use sustainable farming methods that preserve the local agricultural biodiversity. www.altereco-usa.com

Navitas Naturals Make-Your-Own Organic Chocolate Superfood Kits

Navitas Naturals is making it easy for people to bring home the art of chocolate making with their innovative new Organic Superfood Chocolate Kits. Available in three delicious organic superfood varieties – Goji Berry, Cacao Nib and Goldenberry. Each fun and unique Kit creates 12 organic chocolates. Navitas Naturals Organic Superfood Chocolate Kits are full of healthy antioxidants, and these treats can be prepared in just minutes. In addition to the Kit ingredients, the only other items needed to complete the easy recipe are a knife, a small bowl, a large bowl and an ice cube tray. Each Organic Superfood Chocolate Kit contains raw: organic cacao butter, organic cacao powder, organic mesquite, organic lucuma, organic maca and the specific organic superfood which is featured in the chewy center of the chocolates (Goji Berry, Cacao nib, or Goldenberry).”

Chocolate Gifts – Chocolate Gift Guide for 2009.