To make a cacao smoothie, blend your favorite fruits ( strawberries, bananas, or blueberries work well) with Greek yogurt and a bit of ice. The sweetness of the smoothie masks the somewhat bitter flavor of the cacao, making this a great introduction to cacao powder. Smoothies are a natural pairing for high quality cacao powder. Try using cacao powder in these everyday foods to harness its beneficial properties. Just a couple of teaspoons of cacao powder are bursting with antioxidants, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds (One Green Planet, 2014). When using cacao powder, be aware that a little goes a long way. Cacao powder tastes slightly bitter, although many people come to love its rich flavor. Because many people are used to eating milk chocolate - which contains much more sugar and dairy - eating raw cacao powder can be an adjustment at first. Given the health benefits of cacao powder, it pays to eat this form of chocolate every day. Ways to use Cacao Powder in Everyday Foods Some evidence also suggests that raw cacao may contain compounds that can lower stress levels and promote better mood (Mercola, 2015). Getting enough antioxidants may reduce your risk of certain forms of cancer or age-related eye diseases (Harvard T.H. Antioxidants are a class of molecules that sweep through your cells, mopping up damage created by free radicals. Raw cacao powder contains more than 300 different chemical compounds (Mercola, 2015).Īmong the most beneficial of these compounds are antioxidants. Now that modern science has exposed the beneficial chemicals within cacao, it is easy to see why this food was so prized. Health Benefits of Cacao PowderĪncient pottery from Central America suggests that indigenous peoples have been using cacao for more than 3,000 years (Mercola, 2015). Eating cacao powder is a great way to boost your intake of beneficial nutrients. In contrast, cocoa powder contains cacao that has been heated and processed to create a smoother chocolatey flavor you can learn more about the differences between cocoa and cacao here. Made from the fruit of the cacao tree, cacao is minimally processed (One Green Planet, 2014). Cacao is the raw, pure form of chocolate.
Cacao powder is not the same as the cocoa powder often found on supermarket shelves.
0 kommentar(er)
