Prerna Porwal
It’s not a spelling mistake here since many of us might not know what cacao powder actually is. Well, one doesn’t need to travel Amazon basins (the source of its origin) to discover it. Cacao powder is obtained from Cacao beans; it is purely organic and doesn’t undergo any machine processing or chemical treatment. It is better known as a healthy version of cocoa for its exceptional nutritive value and several health benefits. Nutritionists recommend Cacao powder for a healthy heart, stress booster, and as a mood enhancer. Cocoa powder that is commonly known as the chocolate powder is chemically treated to reduce the bitterness from cacao powder. The raw cacao powder is superior in the comparison between the two. Friends, I have done thorough research and hand-picked 5 brands that provide the best organic raw cacao powder in India.
This product is an organic cacao mixture originated and procured from an expert community of a not so famous region in Peru. This produce of central Amazon is unique for its method of cultivating cacao. The farmers in the region have mixed different types of seeds of papaya fruit and banana to obtain an enhanced version of cacao beans that are obviously different. The processing involves an ancient technique and is not alkaline, hence contain high levels of antioxidants. This cacao powder has excellent content of magnesium that triggers happy hormones. The uniqueness quotient of manufacturing without using chemical treatment has attracted many consumers across the globe.
This product is an organic version of the cacao family. The primary Cacao beans here are basically procured from cultivators in South India. There is no chemical treatment for changing the shade of this powder nor for altering the original taste. Hence their product is 100% natural. A wide range of customers prefers this brand for no alkaline content in it. This excellent product is used for skin cure and also used as face masks.
Sattvic Foods Cacao Powder is produced from non-alkaline variants of cacao beans that are of Indian Origin, precisely Kerala. The farmers in this region use natural energy sunlight for heating the beans. They are then dried and ground with all contents of beans untouched. Hence it’s raw and unsweetened in taste. Their cacao powder has natural color shade and is commonly used in baking processes, preparing smoothies, hot chocolate drinks, desserts, and many more. Some of the noted health benefits are a boost in energy levels, prevention of premature aging, and improvement of metabolism.
As the name suggests, their happy customer segment has rated their product above average in cacao powder ratings. This natural and unsweetened produce has excellent antioxidant content. The cacao powder produced for our customers has adequate quantities of fiber, copper, and all-important flavonoids in the right mix. The texture is dark in shade and rich in nutrient contents.
One of the finest producers of Cacao powder that is raw in natural form, unprocessed, untreated, and not chemically refined. Jimmy’s Gourmet Kitchen is known for state-of-art functioning and processing, offers a naturally rich cacao powder. Experts have highlighted a considerable amount of important minerals and nutrients in this cacao powder. Notable contents include fiber, iron, calcium, and most-importantly the magnesium. This mood enhancer cacao powder boosts energy levels and helps modern-day individuals cope with various health issues. This Super-powder drink of 200ml has more antioxidants than normal green tea of the same quantity.
These are the top 5 brands that I personally prefer as the best organic raw cacao powder in India.
Cacao is the semi-finished raw version of Cacao beans, before Cocoa conversion by further processing. It is the purest form of Cacao beans, which is neither processed nor chemically treated and thus has several health benefits as follows:
1. Full of Antioxidants
Best Organic Raw Cacao Powder has abundant content of nutrients namely flavonoids. The importance of flavonoids is that it takes care of your body’s cardiovascular process and prevents us from various health hazards like asthma. Cacao powder is rich in antioxidants as well, for readers who wonder about the importance of Antioxidants in the body; luckily you are precisely in the knowledge gain zone ahead. Antioxidants in the human body help in reducing aging; helps you to stay healthy and fit. Antioxidants also help to bring the body balance by reduction of inflammation (body’s immune system response) Experts have also derived its direct link with healthy heart working, and so readers, no skipping this exceptional powder intake.
2. Improves Brain Health
Cacao powder helps in improving the cognitive functioning of human beings and also develops brain cells. This is mainly because flavonoids in cacao powder produce moderate amounts of nitric oxide, an important chemical that helps in the circulation of blood flow to your brain. Medical Experts have found it to be helpful for the development of neurons in the brain as well. As per scientific research, a tablespoon of cacao powder provides a wide range of essential minerals to your body like magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and many more in good proportions that are necessary on a daily basis.
3. Maintains Blood Sugar Levels
Best Organic Raw Cacao Powder helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels amongst all age groups and also prevents heart failure or sudden stroke. It is naturally raw and does not contain any type of sugar content (no chemical treatment performed) and according to the scientific test, it does even contain any bad fats. This Super-Food is thus very beneficial for weight control for obvious reasons. Renowned chefs across the globe have worked closely with nutritionists to prepare different chocolate recipes made especially from cacao powder which helps to maintain weight and even lose weight. Dear Readers, what are you waiting for? Simply give yourself and even close ones a pack of rich, dark chocolate cacao powder today and find for yourself the amazing health benefits described here.
4. Uplifts Mood and Energy
Experts consider cacao powder as the best mood enhancer food thus it is recommended that you maintain adequate stock on a timely basis. Happy Smarts community have suggested moderate amounts of Cacao consumption daily to drive positivity in oneself and help to experience happiness for longer periods. Cacao powder triggers the Happiness hormones and it helps in the development of a chemical called Tryptophan. This results in the development of a positive feeling in the body. For Readers unaware of the tryptophan working, here you are rewarded again for another knowledge gain, so the chemical Tryptophan is basically important for producing Serotonin, which is helpful to create the feeling of happiness and positivity. In simple words, Cacao powder is indirectly useful to activate the feel-good moment in your body.
5. Cacao for PMS?
Yes, you are right ladies, the organic cacao fine dust has been clinically tested and found to reduce insomnia levels considerably. The raw cacao powder is helpful to reduce lower body swelling and maintain breast tenderness according to a study. Also because of the rich source of magnesium content it avoids body bloating and reduces period pains. Cacao powder offers tremendous health benefits to growing teenagers.
6. Calcium Absorption & Bone Health
Well to not discriminate the readers, Scientists have derived Cacao powder to be beneficial for bone health by the proper amount of absorbing calcium in our body. By this process, cacao powder prevents you from cardiovascular diseases. Cacao Protein-rich chocolate drink is often consumed as a health supplement after routine workouts. People following the vegan diet should think of including cacao powder for its exceptional nutritional gains and as an advanced health supplement.
7. Rich Source of Magnesium
If you have constant pain in your legs and calves then that could be due to low magnesium levels in your body. Famous Nutritionist Luke Coutinho recommends adding a teaspoon of Cacao powder to your daily diet to fulfill your daily magnesium requirement in your body. Well, that shows how rich cacao powder is in magnesium.
So despite being bitter in actual taste, cacao powder has exceptional qualities in healing the body, nutritive values & marvelous health benefits for all age groups.
We have discussed various health benefits of consuming cacao powders regularly. This user-centric portion of the article will be helpful for each and everyone for preparing their favorite recipe. Because of its strong and dark bitter taste, cacao powder can be used to create different desserts, smoothies, and chocolate drinks.
1. Cacao Powder vs Cocoa Powder
To solve the above complex mystery, let’s travel back thousands of years ago, wherein it originated in the Amazon region. The Cacao tree plantations were primarily found in the foothills of the basin. Farmers produced and processed the cacao trees to beans and then into powdered form.
The cocoa powder is obtained after processing and doing a chemical treatment so as to change the bitter powder into a sweet powder commonly called chocolate powder. This sweetened version is easily available in the market and almost available in every kitchen in various forms.
Cacao powder on the other hand is only roasted and raw and thus has all the nutrients intact. Because of the tremendous health benefits in the offer and its role in body development, this semi-finished version of cacao beans has carved out its demand over recent years. When considering cacao and cocoa, always go for the best organic raw cacao powder in India for its more nutritive value and health benefits than the latter one.
2. Is the Cacao powder raw in nature?
Yes, it surely is! To precisely define the cacao powder obtained from cacao beans it is definitely raw in nature. Since it is unsafe to consume the cacao powder directly, the powder is slowly roasted at very low temperatures for a specific period to convert it into an edible form. Cacao powder raw version is free from artificial processing and heavy machinery processing.
3. What are the various recipes for cacao powder?
Cacao powder is high in nutrition value. Hence, it is preferred by a large section of people across the globe. Every vegan and health-conscious individual includes cacao in their daily intake of food. Vegan brownie, Berry shakes and smoothies, Vegan Muffins, Zucchini chocolate cookie, cupcakes, Chocolate Almond brownie, hot chocolate thick shakes, and protein drinks are few healthy recipes. Chocolate truffles, Banana chocolate cake, Healthy Cheesecake, Avocado Chocolate Mousse, and many more delicious recipes. It can be combined with several varieties of fruits, nuts, and seeds to prepare numerous bakery items.
4. How much Cacao powder can be consumed per day?
Cacao powder has low caffeine content in its serving compared to the equal proportion of green tea or a cup of normal coffee. The actual intake of cacao powder per day varies from person to person depending on their body requirement. However, The European Food Safety department has suggested a range of around 2.5gms to 10gms of cacao dark chocolate for optimum health benefits.
5. Who should buy cacao powder?
On a serious note, every individual involved in consuming cocoa powder for innumerable recipes can incline their focus on cacao powder considering its enhanced nutritive value and health benefits. Cacao powder is bitter and dark, so it’s perfect for people who enjoy the darker tinge. With increasing awareness of a healthy lifestyle, scientists recommend cacao powder over many caffeine beverages. Also, considering the amazing results of skin glowing, cacao powder purchase is at its peak in the beauty care industry as well. For readers, who want to pursue healthy eating habits in the future can include cacao powder for its unique and dark natural taste in the daily diet for exceptional results on both mental and physical health.
6. Is Cacao a good source of magnesium?
The answer is Yes! Cacao powder is a proven winner in terms of nutritive content it offers in the raw form. Experts have derived 35-40mg of magnesium in a single tablespoon of rich Cacao powder. Cacao is also rich in various minerals like calcium, copper, phosphorus, and sodium. Many manufacturers have obtained certifications for magnesium and other important mineral contents in their pack of cacao powder.
7. What are the side effects of cacao powder?
Talking about the negative side, excessive cacao powder intake can be a little dangerous. Consumption above the permissible limit of cacao powder intake affects the heart, damages the kidney, and causes headaches. A heavy intake above 50gms of raw cacao in a single day can lead to dehydration and heart failure.
I have been using Tree Foods Company Cacao Powder for quite some time now and I must say that I absolutely love the quality of this product. It’s fresh and completely organic. Moreover, it has a zip-lock packaging and hence can be kept the way it is and doesn’t require any separate container to store. This is a clear win for the category “best organic raw cacao powder.”
