Is 100% cocoa the same as 100% cacao?

The key difference between the two lies in how the cacao bean is processed after harvesting and how the health benefits are altered as a result of this processing. Simply put, cacao refers to the minimally processed form of the cacao bean, while cocoa refers to the highly processed form the bean.

navitasorganics.com - What's the Difference Between Cacao and Cocoa? - Navitas Organics

How many sleepers do you need to bring to the hospital?

Two or three sleepers for baby to wear while you are in hospital. Baby blanket. Take a warm one if the weather is cold. Diapers.

Last updated Aug 7, 2018

Is prostatitis permanent?

Most cases of acute bacterial prostatitis are cured with treatment. Sometimes prostatitis can come back even after you've been cured. Your health...

Last updated Mar 28, 2018

Promotion

By: Julie Morris, Superfood Chef & Luminberry Founder

If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ve likely noticed that chocolate ingredients vary between containing cocoa and cacao and that both products are also sold individually on the shelf. Though their names are similar and they are derived from the same cacao plant, there are actually significant differences between the two—in processing, flavor and nutritional value!

Cacao vs. Cocoa Powder

Both cacao and cocoa come from the cacao bean of the Theobroma cacao tree. The key difference between the two lies in how the cacao bean is processed after harvesting and how the health benefits are altered as a result of this processing. Simply put, cacao refers to the minimally processed form of the cacao bean, while cocoa refers to the highly processed form the bean. Cocoa powder is roasted at a much higher temperature and typically supplemented with additives to cut the bitterness (either an alkalizing chemical solution in the case of Dutch-processed or alkalized cocoa, or with sugar and other additives, as found in milk chocolate and candy chocolate bars). Cacao powder, which is often labeled as "Raw Cacao Powder," is derived from low-temperature roasted cacao beans and maintains the nutritionally dense properties of the cacao seed.

Signs of a Superfood

Cacao is the minimally processed form of chocolate that is robust in flavor and maintains all the impressive nutrients that make it a superfood. It comes directly from the cacao tree, which fruits colorful pods that are filled with large cacao seeds, called cacao beans. During harvest, the cacao pods are opened and seeds are accumulated for fermenting while the empty pods are recycled as compost or used as feed for livestock. When these beans are naturally fermented, roasted at low temperatures and cold-pressed (separating out most of the fat, a.k.a. cacao butter), cacao powder is the result.

The Processing Differentiation

While cocoa comes from the same source (cacao beans), it refers to highly processed cacao. Cocoa manufacturers roast the beans at high heat and many add preservatives, textural agents or added sugar and sweeteners to the powder as well. The most commonly found cocoa powder on the market is labeled as "Dutch-processed cocoa powder" or "alkalized cocoa powder," which means it was treated with an alkaline solution to reduce its acidity. These processes and additives take the bitter edge off the bean (a bitterness that is indicative of its nutritional potency), flatten the rich chocolate flavor and/or increase the shelf life of processed cocoa. While both cocoa and cacao have a distinguishable chocolate taste, cacao is more bitter, comparable to a full-bodied dark chocolate, while cocoa is generally sweeter.

Bonus Benefits

What food gives you the most energy?

To optimize your daily energy level, try adding some of these foods into your meal plan. Oatmeal. The complex carbs in oatmeal mean it's a slow-...

Last updated Mar 2, 2018

Which seeds are best for males?

Pumpkin seeds are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can contribute to healthy testosterone levels and improve overall health....

Last updated Apr 22, 2021

Promotion

In their purest forms, both cacao powder and unsweetened cocoa powder taste similar: like unsweetened chocolate. Their health benefits are where the biggest variances occur. Minimally processed cacao powder is an abundant source of minerals (iron, magnesium and potassium), fiber and those unique antioxidants called flavanols, which support cardiovascular and brain health. After cacao has been heated at high temperatures, many of these beneficial nutrients degrade and are no longer significantly present in the powder—quite the unnecessary loss in nutrition. This difference in nutritional value is one of the main reasons more and more people are swapping cacao products for regular cocoa products in their everyday uses and recipes.

Can Cacao Powder Be Used as a Substitute for Cocoa Powder?

Yes! In fact, we at Navitas recommend choosing our Cacao Powder over unsweetened cocoa powder (or another natural cacao product like our Cacao Nibs or our Cacao Sweet Nibs over chocolate chips) whenever possible. You can easily swap our Cacao Powder in any recipe that calls for regular cocoa powder for an instant health boost! Chocolate cake? No problem. Simply substitute the recipe's measurement of cocoa powder or natural cocoa with our minimally processed Cacao Powder. At the end of the day, both cocoa and cacao will provide benefits since low-sugar chocolate is always a healthier alternative to artificially sweetened treats. Yet, cacao is clearly the most nutrient-dense form of this superfood. If you’re not doing so already, lean on cacao to satisfy your chocolate cravings and enjoy an entirely new level of energizing health! Not sure how to start incorporating cacao into your everyday? Check out some of our favorite cacao recipes for immediate inspiration.

navitasorganics.com - What's the Difference Between Cacao and Cocoa? - Navitas Organics

Does water increase sperm?

Myth 3: Does Drinking Water Increase Sperm Count? Water and fluid intake is said to help boost a man's semen volume within normal limits. If a man...

Last updated Aug 12, 2021

What will happen if I eat dark chocolate everyday?

You'll load up on antioxidants. Dark chocolate is rich in polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, which function as antioxidants that combat free...

Last updated Oct 22, 2018

Promotion

Do natural DHT blockers work?

Although there are a few initial studies that seem to prove that some natural DHT blockers are effective at helping hair loss, there is not enough...

Last updated Mar 5, 2020

Promotion

What drinks burn fat?

Given below are a list of the drinks that make you lose weight, along with recipes to prepare them. Apple Cider Vinegar with Berries and Lemon....

Last updated Oct 7, 2018