The healing, health-beneficial and culinary aspects of raw cacao!

Cacao may be overwhelming when you first start to read about it: Cacao, cocoa, nibs, powder, butter, beans.

Dried, roasted, fermented and raw. It may seem like the list is endless, but it all comes from the same tree that produces cacao beans. Amazing, right?


Cacao is my favorite super-food. I love it because of its versatility and unique taste, but maybe even more because of the healing and health-beneficial properties. I use it to relax, to regain energy, for the healthy antioxidants, and for feeling fresh.

You may have heard that consuming cacao regularly does one really good, and I can assure you that you've heard right.

Let's start with the health benefits before the healing and culinary aspects of cacao.

1: It contains a lot of iron.

Hey Popeye, why not have a cup of healing cacao?

2: It is one of our best sources to anti-oxidants.

It's even richer in antioxidants than blueberries!

3: It can help you balance your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of heart attacks.

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Now that you know some of the many health benefits from cacao, let's continue with the difference between cacao and cocoa!

Cacao in the form we use it is a product of the cacao tree. It is native to South-America, and need quite a warm climate to grow. On the tree, you can find the cacao fruit, and that is where the magic is. From the cacao bean inside the fruit you can make cacao powder, mass, butter, nibs, and flakes.

So what is the difference between cacao and cocoa?
Cacao is the raw product in any form, and cocoa is the roasted product.

Cacao fruit

Is the fruit that grows on the cacao tree.

Cacao bean

Inside the fruit, you can find pods of beans, which is the seeds of the cacao tree.

Powder/solids

You can get either raw or processed powder made from the cacao bean. Solids are what left after extracting the cocoa butter.

Butter

The cocoa butter is the fat from the cacao bean.

The healing and stress relieving aspects of raw cacao.

In addition to being super healthy, cacao has some pretty awesome healing properties. I just love to make a big cup of raw cacao with oat-milk, and cuddle up in a blanket. One can feel the healing and soothing effect in minutes.

1: It contains a lot of magnesium, which is stress relieving really good for relaxation.

2: It contains phenethylamine which helps release endorphins in the brain.

3: It makes you happy!

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We recently bought 1 kilo of pure raw cacao from Mexico, so expect many cacao-related recipes in the near future.

Some of our tips for making the best hot chocolate:

• Use raw cacao powder.
• Use natural syrup as a sweetener.
• Add some real vanilla powder or vanilla paste and coconut oil.
• Add a small amount of cinnamon & salt.

&

• Why not try our delicious raw brownie bites? They are a hit on all the events we attend!

• Or a home-made Nutella to get a good dose of raw cacao?
  

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Love and light, Emilie / @umulius - Ambrosia crew.

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We are 'Ambrosia ~ vegan food and herbal healing.'
A small group of passionate beings with a burning desire to both share and gain more wisdom about nature, our bodies, and how they connect.
With our traveling vegan cafe, we are looking to accomplish many things, you can read more about our vision in our introduction post.

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