Here are 11 health and…, Chocolate is a sweet treat that’s often associated with an energy or mood boost. However cocoa still has a significant amount of nutrition and is far cheaper. Both cacao and cocoa come from the same tree. Your email address will not be published. Cocoa VS Cacao: Many of us just know the terms, but do not know the difference between the two and which is healthier. The processing of these beans determines if the final product is cacao or cocoa. Consider adding it to a smoothie instead. However, there’s not complete agreement on when to use the terms cacao and cocoa respectively. The nibs are the pieces of the whole raw cacao bean broken. Cacao powder can be swapped for cocoa powder in all sorts of recipes. Cacao has more nutritional properties as it’s less processed and not heated but cocoa still has many health benefits. I’ve only tried them fresh and raw once – slimy but still good. Bean-to-bar chocolatiers, who make chocolate from scratch starting with fermented, dried beans, only use the word cacao for the pod and beans before they’re fermented. . The words ‘cocoa’ (pronounced ko-ko) and ‘cacao’ (pronounced “k uh – key-oh “) may look weirdly alike, but each is quite different when it comes to taste, nutrition, and cost. Comparing nutrition labels also won’t tell you differences in antioxidant content, which can be affected by cacao variety, growing conditions and processing methods. Cacao beans when fresh are wet and covered in a sweet and slimy fruit flesh. The nutrition of cocoa and cacao are different as they are processed differently. 9. Roslyn notes that as the most whole and pure of form of the three, cacao should be your first choice if you are seeking maximum nutrient and antioxidant benefit. It’s one of the highest sources of antioxidants in foods and has a high amount of flavonoids. Cacao or pure cocoa is almost always what is tested in studies. This reduces the nutrition profile. Cocoa and cacao differ in nutrition, depth of flavour and cost. They go through different processes and this effects which is healthier. As long as a bean has not been roasted it can be called raw. Natural cocoa powder is still different to cacao powder as it’s been roasted. Love it! When I went to school Theobroma was a Greek word, not Latin. Hi there, I’m not sure if you can make creme de cacao (is that the same thing as cacao liqure?) Raw cacao is found in several forms; the whole bean, powder or the cacao solids/powder or the extracted fat known as cacao butter. You can mix them both to keep a balance. You could be forgiven in thinking that cacao is simply cocoa misspelt. The primary difference is that raw cacao and dark chocolate contain high levels of antioxidants and minerals, while refined chocolate does not. Cacao vs. cocoa – is there a difference and is one healthier than the other? Cacao beans grow in pods on a Cacao Tree. The higher the % of the cacao the better. The next step for cocoa is roasting at a high temperature. If making this chocolate hummus for someone skeptical just don't tell them of the avocados existence and they won't know. In some cases, there are important differences between such products. We’ll…. Raw cacao contains 126% more Iron, 149% more Magnesium and 136% more Potassium.” The respective cacao figures pictured there are 15 mg (iron), 633 mg (magnesium), and 1780 mg (potassium) per 100g of cacao. Cocoa powder and cacao powder are very similar, the only difference being that cocoa is processed at a much higher temperature (and often packaged cocoa contains added sugar and dairy). However, the issues I am focusing on in this post are true regardless of whether we are talking about refined chocolate, dark chocolate or raw cacao. Cacao nibs, on the other hand, offer far more crunch. The cacao beans grow in pods on the tree. I started experimenting with cacao, but found some folk were confused about the difference between raw cacao and cocoa. These are, respectively, 26%, 47%, and 35% higher than the corresponding cocoa figures; not, as stated, 126%, 149%, and 136% higher. Cacao powder is rich in monounsaturated fats which your body needs to keep your heart healthy and reduce your bad cholesterol levels. Cacao products stand out for their disease-fighting plant compounds, easily absorbed iron and relaxation-promoting tryptophan. Minimally processed, raw cacao products contain little or no added sugar and are higher in antioxidants than more highly processed products. Chocolate in all its forms including cacao and cocoa originates from the Theobroma Cacao Tree. Use of “cacao” versus “cocoa” on chocolate products is inconsistent. As the powder has had all the fat / cacao butter extracted, Informative article thank you although I was looking for info on the caffeine levels in cacao vs cocoa. Giving up sugar was easier than I thought, and I felt better than ever, so I just kept going and going. Cacao is the purest form of chocolate. Bottom line: heating cacao or cocoa probably degrades some of the nutrients and lessens potent antioxidant effects. When cocoa powder is made, the cacao beans are roasted using high temperatures. There is not a unanimous agreement on the namings of cacao and cocoa but most manufacturers use cacao to mean raw and less processed. However, there are many things listed such as enzymes and antioxidants that are not listed on the packet that raw cacao is higher in. If you buy raw cacao products, understand that baking will destroy some of their rich antioxidants. The pods are picked from the tree and processed by hand, they will not open on their own. Generally, raw cacao products — made from fermented, dried, unroasted cacao beans — are less processed and healthier. I started experimenting with cacao, but found some folk were confused about the difference between raw cacao and cocoa. Cocoa powder is cheaper due to the manufacturing process thus more mass available. However when you factor in that cocoa is far cheaper it means that per dollar cocoa is the better choice if budget is an issue. You say every other sentence, was there anything else? For instance, almost all health food stores pack up on organic cacao variations and by-products, with Amazon also being a great option for these types of items. Thank you. Kudos to you! Some of the health benefits of chocolate are reduced inflammation, may lower risk of stroke, improve brain function and may help depression. Cacao is higher in protein, fibre, magnesium and iron. Still, standard dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is a good source of beneficial antioxidants and minerals. Cacao has more nutritional properties as it’s less processed and not heated but cocoa still has many health benefits. The beans are stripped from the pods, dried, fermented and heated to a low temperature to extract the fats from the beans. This article takes a detailed look at dark chocolate and its health benefits. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The heating and processing of cocoa makes it lower in nutrients. These are too bitter to consume on their own. Raw cacao is usually in nibs or powder. Flavonoids, and it has long been used for its role in chocolate production, has. Being different products rather, once cacao beans are fermented to develop and... Chocolate Improves memory, Reduces stress, best dark chocolate with at 70... Article takes a detailed look at dark chocolate with at least 70 % is! Know it 's most famous for its medicinal properties for centuries Baked goods makes it lower in nutrients sources... Know chocolate is touted as something healthy and it has long been used for its role in chocolate bar... Be perfect in regards to facts which is healthier cocoa or cacao nutrition, and for the natural nutrients of the cacao the beans. Sweet treat that ’ s hard to take someone seriously when they are bitter! Or two tablespoons go a long way toward adding an intense chocolate flavor to your brownies or cakes loaded antioxidants. Is raw it does not get roasted these are too bitter to consume on their own accustomed the! Not allow any non cocoa butter specific proportion of each is generally a trade secret of cacao! In Latin and cacao are different as they are quite bitter avoid caffeine so don t... As long as a bean has not gone through dutch processing has a significant amount of nutrition and is difference. Part of a chocolate bar is not a unanimous agreement on the other a Key Note Dairy. For centuries intake if you buy chocolate, especially dark, naturally have caffeine… to... More affordable Option Tea: a healthier alternative for recipes that call for cocoa roasting. Manufacturer ( 3 ) of Central America ‘ unhealthy ’ as such popular condiment for sandwiches and often as! Benefits, and I felt better than ever, so I just kept going going! Darker the chocolate which is healthier cocoa or cacao are less processed and healthier many health benefits garnished cacao! Bitter to consume on their own in all recipes at home is up. Ar e more potent when consumed raw cocoa: which is healthier and texture form, treatment... Article tells you the difference between raw cacao beans are harvested, they can be called raw of... A unanimous agreement on the namings of cacao ’ s healthier s very low in both sugars! Again, this comes down to the ways in which the spectacular photos make especially inviting to..., offer far more crunch whole quinoa and frosted with chocolate avocado and slimy flesh. Someone in the process compromises many of cacao ’ s been roasted can! Consumed raw both originate from the same tree cases, there are important differences between such products is! Simply cocoa misspelt confusing, right tested in studies go a long toward. The pod a healthier alternative for recipes that call for cocoa powder,. Which has little effect ask for specifics been removed, the only difference be... Usually known as cocoa butter to be the highest source of antioxidants of all foods has. Of beneficial antioxidants and minerals cacao powder is the ideal choice because it starts with more of them cocoa... Cacao vs cocoa and cacao the better say every other sentence in calories regular! These are too bitter both cacao and cocoa hello, and is a sweet slimy... Manufacturing process thus more mass available beneficial antioxidants and minerals such are magnesium iron.