Cacao or Cocoa – Which Is Better For You?

Both Cocoa and Cacao Are Yummy – Is There a Difference?

Cacao – is it the same as cocoa? Is hot chocolate made with cocoa or cacao – and does it matter? What about chocolate?

There IS a difference – and one is much better for you!

Let’s see why they’re so different – and why one is so good for you!

Are Cacao and Cocoa The Same?

They both come from the cacao tree (Theobromo Cacao) which produces large cacao pods. It’s grown mainly as a crop in Equatorial countries across the world.

When you open them, the pods have an outer lining which is made into cacao butter, and the beans inside are made into powder, which is used mostly to make chocolate.

The main difference is that cocoa is processed and much of the goodness is lost. After heat treatment, cocoa is often mixed with various other ingredients. But it still tastes nice, it’s cheap and we use it to make hot chocolate and various baked goods.

Cacao is best raw, when all its phytonutrients are intact. It’s a healthy ingredient with lots of fiber and antioxidents. It’s relatively high in calories but the fats are mostly good fats.

What Are Cacao Nibs?

Nibs  are simply beans which have been diced into easier-to-eat pieces. These are great for adding to porridge, cakes, and other mixtures for a more healthy chocolate chip. The nibs are packed with fiber and healthy fats as well as a wide selection of minerals and vitamins.

For the health benefits, just be sure to check the labels and make sure you’re buying only raw cacao nibs – and not processed cocoa or chocolate nibs!

Can I use Either Cocoa or Cacao in Recipes?

The two are generally interchangeable in recipes. Just a couple of things to note:

• Cacao tastes more bitter than cocoa.
• It is higher in calories than cocoa.
• It is more expensive than cocoa.
• It is healthier than cocoa.

The Health Benefits Of Cacao

Raw cacao has many health benefits, and it has long been used in traditional forms of medicine.

Raw cacao is said to improve your mood. It contains a compound called anandamide or the ‘bliss molecule’ which can release endorphins and helps to make you feel happy. It may be an aphrodisiac, and can also help with mood swings.

It is good for your heart. Flavanols work as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to protect your heart from cardiovascular disease. It also helps to improve blood circulation, reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, prevent a hardening of the arteries, and reduce your risk of stroke¹.

If you’ve ever wanted an excuse to get that yummy chocolate taste, then you’re in luck!

Cons of Cacao

Of course, nothing is perfect, and there are some disadvantages.

It’s expensive. For me, it’s worth it. I buy a bag of organic raw cacao and it lasts me about a year in proper reusable airtight storage. I add some to my first coffee of the day. Because I use so little and it lasts well, I don’t find it’s a financial burden –  but that’s your call, depending upon how much you use.

It acts as a stimulant. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It’s not as strong as coffee but cacao can affect sleeping patterns if you eat it late at night.

If you have a pre-existing kidney issue, cacao may make it worse.

It can also negatively impact the liver if you have a pre-existing liver condition. In both cases, it depends on the individual, but you can always be cautious and either eat only a little, or avoid it altogether.

How To Buy It

You can buy raw cacao powder and nibs from most health stores.

The pods are more difficult to source (you can get them online) but they require quite a lot of work. (Dry them in full sunshine for 3 days, leave them to ferment for 3 days, dry them outside again for another 3 days, roast them, de-shell them, remove any bad bits, and grind them into a fine powder).

Once you have the powder, you can create home-made chocolates, cakes, hot chocolate, and various baked goods. There are thousands of recipes on the internet – you’ll be spoilt for choice!

But for health, always try to buy cacao instead of cocoa – it’s better for you, and it’s also more green and ecofriendly because it not processed.

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1. According to the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, cacao can thin the blood and aid in the prevention of blood clots. The research showed that eating raw cacao can sometimes be as effective as taking an aspirin!

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Warm regards,

P.S.  Want to live a simpler, more green and ecofriendly life? (It’s been shown to increase happiness!). You can download your FREE green living handbook “Live Well, Live Green” here. Get it now!

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