Chocolate Is Healthy

We’ll eat pretty much anything covered in chocolate. But why do chocolate-covered cacao nibs make a particularly great snack?   Fresh cacao nibs can be compared to an unsweetened chocolate chip, as they’re made from crushed cocoa beans.  On their own, they’re crunchy, rich and nutritious, not to mention their mood-elevating properties.  Cacao nibs can be blended into smoothies, used in baking or added to granola for a low-calorie, vegan boost.

Cover cacao nibs in dark chocolate and you have a sweet, giftworthy treat that’s also a portable snack.  The taste of chocolate-covered cacao nibs depends on the type of chocolate used.  Chocolate containing a higher level of cacao means a chocolate-covered cacao nib that’s more intense and less sweet than those with a lower percentage.  They will have a smooth, shiny look and taste, with the chocolate balancing some of the mild bitterness of the cacao nib. Look for nuances of fruit, nuts, vanilla, or smokiness, depending on the chocolate used.

You can also combine chocolate-covered cacao nibs in a bowl with pistachios, almonds or dried fruit for a satisfying dessert. Or make your own trail mix incorporating chocolate covered cocoa nibs.  (Note: the chocolate covered cacao nibs contain more caffeine and sugar than the plain nibs themselves, so be mindful of quantities).

For a deliciously refined example of what chocolate covered cacao nibs should taste like, check out Sweetriot Cacao Nibs – Dark Chocolate 65, 12 Units / 1 oz.

It’s never too early to think about holiday gift giving. Healthy raw chocolate bars, with their organic ingredients and gorgeous packaging, are great for sharing with loved ones.

We’ll continue to provide you with chocolate gift ideas over the coming weeks.   Why? Because they’re delicious, easy to send, and gift recipients won’t believe they’re healthy!

We came across this Pomegranate Acai Bar made by Gnosis Chocolate. It features 100% organic raw ingredients, so you won’t find any refined sugar, dairy, soy, cholesterol or gluten in their products. In this delicious combination, you’ll have the deep satisfaction and therapeutic value of raw, dark chocolate PLUS massive antioxidants from the acai and pomegranate.

Pomegranate Acai Bar.

Cool Hunting had this sweet interview with Brooklyn-based artisanal chocolate company Fine & Raw.  Fortunately for us, we’re also located in Brooklyn, and will be trying some asap.

Along with having top-quality, conscious ingredients, they use low heat techniques to preserve chocolate’s wonderful raw flavor.  Made in small batches, their ingredients include heirloom raw cacao, raw blue agave nectar, cold-pressed coconut oil and Himalayan sea salt.

They sell raw chocolate bars in flavors including raspberry and lucuma & vanilla, as well as their signature bonbons. Fine & Raw gourmet chocolate products feature packaging by local designers.  And great chocolate gifts!

Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

CH: Can you elaborate a little on the benefits of raw chocolate?
DS: Scientific studies have shown that raw cacao is the number one food source of magnesium and antioxidants. Raw cacao has up to five times more antioxidants than regular dark chocolate. Over 300 other elements have been found in cacao. Among them are phenylethylamine (which scientists believe is released when you are in love or at the very least releases endorphins in the brain and produces a mild feeling of euphoria); tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin), theobromine and anandamine (the bliss chemical). Other benefits worth mentioning are the aphrodisiac and appetite suppressant qualities.

CH: Is there a raw chocolate movement developing?
DS: Yes, it’s grass roots right now. Raw chocolate was only introduced to the public relatively recently. It’s taken time to reach the culinary world. But the culinary scope and nutritional benefits are compelling more people to become interested in it.

Fine & Raw Chocolate.

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.