If you want to transform your eating habits and add a distinct and delicious flavor to your food, look no further than cacao powder. Cacao is a powerful superfood, rich in antioxidants and nutrients, including magnesium, zinc, and copper. It has many health benefits and can improve your overall wellness. It is also a versatile product and can be added to your food and drinks in several ways, including using it in smoothies, shakes, yogurt, and baked goods. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about cacao powder and discover the best products!
What is Cacao Powder?
Cacao is a superfood. It is less processed than cocoa powder and is made from raw, unroasted, and fermented cocoa beans. By not using heat, it maintains a high level of antioxidants and nutrients. Cacao powder can boost your overall well-being and have exceptional health benefits in moderation.
Is Cacao Powder the Same as Cocoa Powder?
The similarity and appearance may make it easy to confuse cacao powder and cocoa powder, but the difference is in how they are processed. Cocoa powder is made using roasted beans, while cacao powder is made from raw, unroasted, and fermented cocoa beans. Both have health benefits and are delicious, but some argue that cacao powder is more natural. Cocoa can also lose some of its health benefits because of the heat process it undergoes.
Cacao Benefits
Cacao powder is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, particularly flavanols. It also commonly includes magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper, each of which has health benefits. This can be beneficial for those who have a plant-based diet. In limited quantities, it is a wonderful addition to your food and can have several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart and brain. Other health benefits include reducing the appetite, which could aid weight loss. It also contains the organic compound phenylethylamine, which can help improve your mood.
Best Cacao Powders
Cacao powder has many health benefits and is also delicious. It can be added to the food in various ways, including smoothies, yogurt, and baked goods, and is a fantastic alternative to sugar-laden confectionery. However, not all cacao powders are made equal. If you want to purchase a trusted brand with organic, Non-GMO products that have a smooth texture and rich taste, these are some of the best cacao powders for healthy, mindful living.
1. Natierra Organic Cacao Powder
Cacao powder is appealing because it is a superfood and is also easy to add to your smoothies or bake with. Cacao powder is filled with flavonoids with multiple health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain. If you are looking for a vegan, non-GMO product, the Natierra organic cacao powder could be what you have been searching for. It is harvested in Peru, where local farmers grow the cacao. The beans are later harvested, fermented, dried, and ground, giving them a rich flavor. Before deciding on any product, always read the warnings to determine any allergies and to better understand the ingredients.
2. Wildly Organic Fermented Cacao Powder
The family-owned brand Wildly Organic is excellent for cacao powder. This particular product is packed with antioxidants, making it the perfect addition to food or smoothies, and can be used for baking. The brand is dedicated to providing products that are great-quality and minimally processed. It is also vegan, fairtrade, sustainably farmed, and Non-GMO Project Verified. The fermented cacao powder is made from organic, non-alkalized cacao pods, which they ferment naturally using banana leaves. There is no added sugar.
Navitas Organics is highly rated by consumers who have tried it before, and there are many reasons to take note of this product. Highlights include that it is fairtrade, BPA free, Certified Organic, and Non-GMO. The cacao is grown in Sierra Leone and works with smallholder farmers. The brand also joined forces with an initiative to support reforestation and soil health. Cacao powder is a plant-based superfood that is used by many people who are on a health journey. It is a versatile product and can be used for baking or added to drinks and food. This particular powder is non-alkalized and contains 195 mg of flavanols per serving.
4. Sunfood Organic Cacao Powder
For those looking for a cacao powder that is organic and pure, the Sunfood organic cacao powder is ideal. It is rich in nutrients, including zinc, iron, and magnesium, which can boost your immune function, but the best part may be the rich natural taste! You can add this chocolate flavor to your baking products, smoothie bowls, and yogurt, but the recommended serving is not more than once a day for cacao because it is a powerful superfood.
5. Zint Raw Organic Cacao Powder
Cacao powder is a superfood created from cacao pods and is raw and unprocessed. It has many health benefits and is filled with nutrients. Zint is a brand that uses 100 percent non-alkalized cacao beans and is rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol. It is excellent for promoting heart health, has anti-aging benefits, is great for the skin and hair, and improves concentration. This product is grown in the Andean mountains of Peru and is vegan, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified. The process involves fermenting the cacao beans and sun-drying them.
6. Earthtone Foods Organic Cacao Powder
It is not hard to see why someone would want to purchase cacao powder, and the health benefits are many. It is packed with nutrients and is chocolate in its purest form, making it a great addition to your foods and a tasty and healthier alternative to sugar-laden chocolate bars. Instead, this powder is a superfood and antioxidant. Earthtone is a brand that wants to bring you natural and nutritious products; this powder is also free from common allergens, including dairy, peanut, tree nut, and soy. It is organic and Non-GMO.
7. NOW Foods Real Food Organic Raw Cacao Powder
The Now Food brand prides itself on creating delicious and organic products. Their cacao powder has no added sugar and many health benefits. It is sun-dried, not roasted, adding to the flavor, and contains no artificial ingredients. Now Foods is a family-owned business producing natural food since 1968. They source their cacao from Peru, where the raw cacao beans are fermented and dried. The company also partners with the local farming community. Cacao powder is a versatile product that can be enjoyed in many ways.
8. Power Superfoods Organic Origin Series Cacao Powder
Cacao powder is a superfood celebrated for its health benefits and rich taste. If you are looking for a product that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, consider the Power Superfoods brand. It is organic and vegan and can be used in many ways, including adding it to coffee and smoothies or using it for baking your favorite foods; it is important to note that baking can reduce some antioxidants. Cacao powder should be used in moderation because of the powerful effect it can have on the body.
9. Loving Earth Organic Cacao Powder
Loving Earth is an excellent brand to know for those who want raw cacao with great taste. Forget chocolate as you know it and opt for a healthier alternative in cacao powder! Cacao powder is a versatile product that can be used in several ways, enhancing the flavor of your food with its rich taste and benefiting your health. This is because it is packed with antioxidants.
10. Power Super Foods Organic Gold Ecuadorian Cacao Powder
In small quantities, cacao powder can have a powerful effect on your health because it is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. The Power Super Foods Organic Gold Ecuadorian Cacao Powder has a smooth texture and a rich and delicious taste. The product is organic and vegan and made from a heritage cacao bean and is the perfect addition to your breakfast, lunch, or dessert.
11. Viva Naturals Certified Organic Cacao Powder
If you are looking for a tasty cacao powder that is free from unhealthy additives and has a pure and natural taste, look no further than the Viva Naturals Certified Organic Cacao Powder. This is a wonderful product that can boost overall wellness and is packed with goodness. It is ground from beans from the Theobroma cacao tree and processed in the Netherlands and France. It is roasted and milled into a fine powder. The powder is organic, non-GMO Project Verified and vegan, gluten-free, and non-alkalized.
12. Sacred Taste Original Cacao
There is a lot to like about the Sacred Taste Original Cacao, and this is a product full of flavor. It has a smooth texture and is incredibly tasty. It is made with 100 percent organic ingredients, including lucuma powder, carob powder, Himalayan pink salt, and evaporated coconut nectar, which adds to the overall taste. Sacred Taste Original Cacao is a fantastic addition to lattes, smoothies, and shakes, which will benefit from the superfood. It is made to be free from refined sugar, gluten-free, preservative-free, and vegan, so you can rest assured knowing you have made a conscious decision.
Cacao Powders FAQs
What is cacao powder good for?
Cacao powder has several health benefits because it is rich in antioxidants and nutrients. It can improve your skin and hair, reduce blood pressure, and aid blood flow to the brain and heart. It is also believed to have mood-enhancing abilities because it contains the organic compound phenylethylamine.
Is Cacao High in Caffeine?
Cacao should be consumed in moderation, and it does contain caffeine. It has around half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, but each brand and powder may have slightly different amounts. If you have caffeine sensitivity, this is something to consider before using cacao.
Is it OK to drink cacao every day?
The simple answer is that yes, it is OK to consume cacao every day, but you should limit it to one serving. You may also wish to take a break from cacao after regular drinking.
How much cacao powder should I eat a day?
You should limit your consumption of cacao powder to one serving a day. Each product will have a recommended serving guideline. If you have a sensitivity to caffeine, you should also consider this.
Why is cacao powder a Superfood?
Cacao powder is a superfood because it is rich in antioxidants and nutrients. This includes magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, and selenium. It has several health benefits and can boost overall wellness and happiness.
Does cacao have oxalates?
Cacao has a high level of soluble oxalates. Oxalate is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in certain foods. High levels of oxalates can bind to calcium which can contribute to kidney stones.
Is cacao an MAOI inhibitor?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are antidepressant drugs that can affect monoamine oxidase enzymes. According to some sources, cacao can act as an MAOI inhibitor because it lets neurotransmitters like serotonin circulate in the brain.
Cailyn Cox holds a degree in journalism and has been working with The Trend Spotter as a writer for over ten years. She has worked with some of the most prestigious women’s and men's lifestyle publications. For her, writing is not just a job; it’s a passion, which is why each article she writes is approached with such enthusiasm and dedication. She has extensive knowledge of hairstyles, tattoos, and beauty and has made a career out of creating informative articles that appeal to women and men of all ages.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
