Chocolate Is Healthy

The health benefits of chocolate can be enjoyed not only in the form of raw chocolate bars. Chocolate is becoming a central ingredient in teas and other infused beverages as well.

One of the great things about the infusion of chocolate and tea is that you enjoy the chocolate
health benefits and rich flavors without calories. It’s also an opportunity to try interesting flavor combinations you may not have come across in regular chocolate. Chocolate-flavored teas obviously make a great finish to a meal, but many are balanced enough to be enjoyed at any time of day. Thankfully, you’ll find both caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions of chocolate tea such as in this Chocolate Mint Truffle Rooibos Tea- 4oz. bag meaning the intoxicating blend of cacao nibs, mint and rooibos leaves won’t keep you up at night. Yet, you receive the massive antioxidants of chocolate and rooibos, sometimes referred to as red tea. Finally, chocolate tea is not just a grown up drink. Kids enjoy the chocolate backdrop enormously as well as the unique flavor combinations. And, you can find both loose leaf and bag versions of chocolate tea, so it can be prepared it in whatever way you prefer.

If you enjoy the warm cardamom, cinnamon and clove flavors of chai, then you may like the ML Masala Chocolate Truffle Herbal Tea Tin. In addition to the zesty spice mixture, this loose leaf herbal tea offers creamy chocolate notes. It’s decaffeinated so enjoy it whenever you like!

Perhaps you’re more interested in the naturally caffeinated mate, made from chicory. This energizing drink has been said to increase metabolism and alertness. The ORAC value of antioxidants in mate is several times that of many fruits and vegetables. This Chocolate Maté Solstice 20 tea bags: K from Pixie Mate might be for you. For a few dollars, it’s a great way to try this bliss-inducing, non-addictive energy tea.

For the ultimate chocolate tea gift, Mighty Leaf put together this gorgeously decadent Au Chocolat Gift Tea Set which includes 6 of their imaginative chocolate truffle tea blends as well as six squares of bittersweet Scharffen Berger chocolate and a tea infuser.

You’ve probably come across various ways to consume raw chocolate. Most common are cacao nibs and raw chocolate bars. But have you tried raw chocolate powder?

Many people aren’t quite sure what to do with raw chocolate powder but it’s an incredibly versatile ingredient. It’s made from raw chocolate, and because of this, it doesn’t contain high levels of caffeine you find in processed chocolate powder. It’s typically vegan-friendly and organic, and a great source of minerals such as magnesium, copper, and calcium.  It’s also rich in antioxidants.

Raw chocolate powder should have a rich, smooth effect on any recipe. You can mix raw chocolate powder into smoothies, yogurt or ice cream. Use it to make a raw chocolate (or non-raw chocolate) cake, or raw chocolate bars
or truffles.

Look for raw chocolate powder made with premium cacao beans and grown with sustainable farming methods. You can buy raw chocolate powder in 1lb and 5lb bags at your local health food grocery store, or check out
Navitas Naturals Cacao Power Raw Powder at this online health food sellers.

The Washington Post recently asked several nutrition experts what they see as the best ingredients to keep in your kitchen that will have positive long-term health effects.

The list include:

• fresh or frozen blueberries
• broccoli and other dark greens
• quinoa
• sardines
• and of course, cacao!

Here’s why cacao made the list of the most healthy foods to incorporate into your diet.

“You’ll often see dark chocolate turn up on “superfood” lists because it contains blood-pressure-lowering plant phenols and loads of antioxidants. Cacao, or raw chocolate, is even better because it lacks sugar and other additives. Though bitter, the whole beans or nibs can be eaten plain. In its powder form, cacao can be mixed into a smoothie or pancake batter, making it taste much like the guilty pleasure we all know and love.”

Nutrition experts recommend healthful must-haves for your kitchen – washingtonpost.com.

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.