| Superfood: Cacao
Cacao is available in many forms, beans, nibs, powder, crunch and butter.
Cacao beans are the seeds of an Amazonian fruiting tree (theobroma cacao – meaning "The Food of the Gods") and source of all chocolate and cocoa products.
The Mexican Mayan kings drank up to 30 pure chocolate drinks a day to maintain their vigour and valued the bean so highly that it was used as money. Our raw Beans are from the best tasting premium criollo variety.
Raw Cacao products are a source of beta-carotene, amino acids (protein), Omega-3 EFA's, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulphur, potassium, and one of the best food sources of muscle relaxing, stress relieving magnesium – now you know why women crave chocolate every month!
Cacao Beans can be peeled (optional) then eat as is, lightly roast (optional) and grind with coffee, or crush and add to smoothies, icecream, muesli, cookie batter or trail mix, or substitute in dessert recipes for chocolate chips.
Cacao Nibs are from the best tasting premium criollo variety and are simply the shelled and crushed chocolate beans. Cacao Nibs are highly anti-oxidant, and panela is absorbed more slowly into the blood stream than processed cane sugar.
Cacao Powder (pronounced ka-kow) is simply pulverised raw Nibs, and as the temperature is never allowed to exceed 40°C, the powder is considered a ‘raw' food with all heat-sensitive vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants remaining intact, thereby maximising digestion and absorption.
In fact, our powder has over 360% MORE antioxidants than regular cocoa !!
Cacao Crunch is a super delicious all-organic blend of highly anti-oxidant crushed chocolate beans, coated in a paste of roasted chocolate liquefied nibs, then rolled in 'panela' (an unrefined evaporated sugarcane juice treat common in South America ).
The taste is variously described as a chocolate explosion with a lightly smoky, nutty, coffee-like flavour ....you'll LOVE it.
Cacao Butter is the edible natural fat of the chocolate bean, cold pressed to retain its nutritional properties and exquisite natural aroma and flavour.
It's traditionally been used as a rich natural moisturiser; as a sexy and decadent massage oil; for soothing babies sore bums; in organic- based cosmetics like lipstick and balm, and in luxury soapmaking. Cacao Butter is a good source of Vitamin E (beta- and gamma- tocopherols) and has a unique composition including the essential fatty acids Omega-6 and monounsaturated Omega-9 (oleic acid, like olive oil) as well as stearic acid - an unusual fat in that it neither increases nor decreases blood cholesterol.
Recipes
BLISS BALLS
Makes approx 18 ‘golf ball’ size balls
Ingredients:
- 2 cups granola or muesli
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup nut butter of your choice
- 1Tbsp CACAO POWDER
- 1 Tbsp MACA POWDER
- 1Tbsp ACAI POWDER
VEGAN BROWNIES WITH ALMOND CACAO ICING
Makes 24 squares
Ingredients:
- 3 cups spelt flour
- 1 cup raw CACAO POWDER
- 1/2 cup raw CACAO NIBS
- 1/2 cup COCONUT PALM SUGAR
- 10 drops vanilla essence
- 1 Tbsp baking soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 cups milk (or milk alternative)
- 2/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce or pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup pecans or roasted walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup GOJI BERRIES (soaked in warm water to soften for 10 minutes)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut
Mindful Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 325º F and grease an 11 x13 3L pan with coconut oil.
- Sift dry ingredients.
- Blend wet ingredients.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients and stir to mix well. Add nuts and goji berries.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before icing - garnish Brownies with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings
**Optional Variations**
** substitute up to 1 cup of Milk with coffee substitute **
** substitute pepitas for walnuts and add 1Tsp chili powder….Viva El Mexico !!!
'RAW' CHOCOLATE - TOO EASY!! SO DELICIOUS!
- 1 cup Raw CACAO BUTTER
- 1 cup Raw CACAO POWDER
- ½ cup Agave nectar or other sweetener (if you want to use COCONUT PALM SUGAR, blend it to a fine powder first in food processor or similar)
***NOTE: ‘sweet tooths’ might prefer to double sugar quantity
Optional: Any combination of GOJI BERRIES, CACAO NIBS, vanilla bean, orange zest, lavender flowers, crushed nuts, CACAO CRUNCH, dried fruit like GOLDENBERRIES or DRIED CHERRIES, etc.
Mindful Preparation:
In a double boiler, gently melt the Cacao Butter, slowly stir in Cacao Powder (pass thru sieve first) and sweetener of your choice. At this point, you can add your ‘options’. Pour into chocolate moulds (silicone are best) or even ice cube trays and cool in refrigerator for 1 hour (or freezer for 15 mins if you just cant wait!) Mmmmmm……..
DECADENT LIP BALM
Feeling crafty? Try making your own luxe lip balm … great gifts!
use only food-grade oils please!
Ingredients:
- 50g RAW CACAO BUTTER
- 50g Sweet almond oil (or apricot oil)
- 50g Jojoba oil (or macadamia oil)
- 50g Beeswax
- 1 Tsp Vanilla essence OR peppermint essence OR orange essence
Mindful Preparation:
- Melt ingredients mixing together very slowly on very low heat (ideally double boiler-type situation) – WATCH CAREFULLY & DO NOT BOIL!
- Cool (while ensuring mix is still remaining liquid), and pour into small sterilized cosmetic jars (or other receptacle of your choice)
- Best kept refrigerated for longevity, especially in summer
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