While they may seem similar, these cocoa and cacao powders are actually very different. Learn more about the difference between cocoa powder vs cacao powder, how to use cacao and what benefits to expect by working it inas to your diet!
Coined a superfood, cacao powder is extremely nutritionally dense. Working it into your diet not only gives you a plethora of benefits but allows you to enjoy more chocolate too!
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, we have a lot of staples in this house (bone broth powder, collagen, algae tabs) and one of the biggest is easily cacao.
As a chocolate lover, cacao and cocoa butter have become my go-to sources to make everything chocolate (though cocoa powder does work too).
Cacao beans are the purest form of chocolate that comes from the cacao plant (and then cacao beans).
It is the cacao beans at their most raw. Cacao beans that are scheduled to become cacao powder are not roasted at high temperatures.
Instead, the cacao beans are processed at low temps and then ground into flour.
Thus, the bean retains its nutritional benefits., living enzymes, and awesome, health-boosting properties.
And trust me, there are some major benefits to cacao beans.
What Do Raw Cacao Beans Taste Like?
Since cacao beans are chocolate in their purest form, it's pretty bitter. Even dark chocolate lovers like myself will want a sweeter flavor (I'm a sucker for 85% dark chocolate). This is where cocoa powder differs greatly.
This means that when learning how to use cacao, you also need to figure out how to sweeten cacao to your liking.
There are lots of different ways to do this (honey, maple syrup, coconut syrup, sugar, etc) it all depends on what flavor you're going for, how you're using cacao, and what your typical palate is used to.
Most pure chocolate bars are a combination of cacao butter and butter. This is what makes chocolate creamy and delicious. but not sweet. Learning to play around in the kitchen can make it so creating your own chocolate is utterly simple.
Fact: cocoa butter and cacao butter are the same things. Just referred to differently!
Benefits Of Raw Cacao Powder
As I mentioned, the benefits of cacao are plentiful. This chocolate powder is underused. When it is used, we load it with so many processed additives that it nixes the healthy benefits.
However, here are a few fun eye-openers for you:
- Super high in antioxidants: raw cacao has 40 times the antioxidant count than blueberries
- One of the highest sources of plant-based iron. Since iron is a key component in our metabolism (it helps carry out certain enzymatic reactions) we really do need it
- More calcium than cows milk: we definitely need calcium however we don't need cows milk to get it. There are plenty of non-dairy sources that provide adequate amounts.
- Contains a high amount of magnesium. I am a magnesium fanatic and actually use a magnesium powder from perfect Supplements because it's just that (learn more about the benefits of magnesium important.
We need magnesium to protect against osteoporosis, cardiovascular health, diabetes etc. ).
However, the reason I use magnesium powder is that it helps reduce tension, induce calm, help with headaches and cramping, and can even improve sleep. Cacao contains a lot of magnesium which is why I adore it.
Cacao Vs Cocoa Powder
So, if cacao is so amazing. What in the hell is cocoa powder? You can grab cocoa powder pretty cheap from Costco (yes, we do still use cocoa powder sometimes and it's one of my husband's favorite Costco buys).
Cocoa powder is made from cacao beans being processed at a higher heat temperature.
This doesn't seem like a big deal but the result is cocoa powder that has:
- a sweeter taste
- less live enzymes
- reduced nutritional properties
This means that cocoa powder and cacao are pretty interchangeable in baking just not nutritionally.
Really, cocoa powder is just a more processed form of cacao. While it does have a sweeter taste which can be useful when it comes to baking, you lose out on all the good that makes cacao wonderful.
One thing to note is that you can also use Dutch cocoa powder to bake with. Don't mistake this for cacao. Dutch cocoa powder is still cocoa powder. The difference is that it has been washed to reduce its acidity level.
When it comes to cacao vs cocoa powder, I will always personally opt for cacao. It's my staple thanks to the wonderful benefits it comes with.
Where To Buy Cacao
There are a lot of quality brands out there when it comes to ways to use cacao.
My personal favorites are below. The reason that I opt for these particular bags of cacao is simply that I trust the brand.
All three brands are very well known in the health community, their processing methods are high quality and I often use other products from them.
However, at the end of the day, it's definitely your call!
Easy Ways To Use Cacao
Now that I've sold you on using it, you're probably wondering the best ways to use it! Truthfully, you can make just about anything chocolate flavor, it's more learning to play around with intensity.
Keep in mind that cacao is potent. So more often than not, you don't need a lot of it. One tablespoon goes a long way!
Below are cacao recipes you'll love but hint: you can use cocoa powder too!
- Cchocolate bomb smoothie
- Chunky monkey smoothie
- Dark cherry chocolate smoothie
- Chocolate banana pudding
- Protein bars topped with chocolate
- Chocolate coconut energy bites)
Keep in mind there's also the option to use cacao nibs. Cacao nibs taste similar to the powder in the sense that they're slightly bigger. Really, cacao nibs are just crushed pieces of the bean.
Cacao nibs don't truly replace chocolate chips as they're not sweet but they're a nice bit of crunch!
Below are 4 unique ways to use it that you probably haven't thought of!
Mix It Into Warm Drinks
Whipping up a super creamy, ultra yummy dairy-free hot chocolate is comforting in the cold weather! And this hot chocolate recipe is loaded with cacao-based nutrients- so it's a favorite.
Our go-to hot chocolate recipe is tasty in the winter when we add in a candy cane for extra yum!
Note: you can obviously substitute cacao for cocoa powder when needed!
Homemade Magic Shell
Clearly ice cream is better with chocolate! And cacao + coconut oil + syrup makes a killer 2-minute magic shell. Skip the store-bought one and whip up your own in no time.
Magic shells are warm and instantly freeze/harden on the ice cream when they come into contact with it. this creates a crunchy, yummy chocolate shell on an already yummy dessert.
Then, top it off with cacao nibs!
Grab our favorite magic shell recipes and make your next movie night that much more awesome.
Chocolate Almond Butter Cups Or Homemade Fudge
Step your desserts up a notch in nutrients by using cocoa and cacao and learning to sweeten perfectly! These chocolate-based desserts are a favorite with just about everyone. Thanks to the addition of cocoa butter they're also super creamy.
DIY Chocolate Skincare Products!
Because this powder has so many nutritional benefits, it's also great on your skin (learn more about the perks of cacao powder on the skin). one of the ways to use cacao powder I love most is making everything deliciously chocolate. use it for:
- chocolate coffee scrubs
- chocolate lip balm
- Grapefruit body butter
- hot chocolate lotion bars
Skincare products are also one of the best ways to use cocoa butter as it gives lotions a creamier texture.
Have I convinced you yet? If you haven't jumped into the cacao craze I hope I've given you a reason to start!
The benefits of cacao beans are endless and not only does it transform into decadent chocolate that can be added to smoothies and desserts but it's healthy too!
Fun fact: did you know you can GROW your own chocolate tree? I want to try this so badly. I'd be in heaven 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions About Cacao And Cocoa Powder
Nutritionally, cacao is better as it is the least processed of the two. However, cocoa powder will naturally be sweeter making it easier for some people to bake with.
The powder can be mixed into baked goods, smoothies, overnight oats, and the like. It can also be used in no-bake desserts and to make homemade chocolate. However, it is naturally bitter tasting so there's often some trial and error to determine the best way to sweeten it.
Farrah
I have a bag of cacao powder I got not too long ago but haven't had a chance to use yet--can't wait to try these ideas out! :] I may be starting with the hot chocolate! 😛
fitasamamabear
Haha hot chocolate is definitely a win! I use it in my new chocolate chunky monkey smoothie too 😉 Enjoy!
Joleisa
I must admit that ive not heard of that powder before. Have to do some research. It sounds healthie though so i wanna check it out. Thanks for sharing
fitasamamabear
definitely look into it.. everyone loves chocolate!
Amanda
I've never used this so it was really helpful reading about all the ways to start using cacao powder! Thank you so much for sharing! Have a wonderful day!
fitasamamabear
Glad I could help Amanda.. it makes everything so yummy!
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete
Some awesome tips and info, lady! Thank you!
fitasamamabear
No problem- it's one of my favorites!
Parth Rathod
It is yes tasty and is good for health
thank you for sharing
fitasamamabear
My favorite kind of treat!