May 1st, 2010

raw cocoa

raw cocoa

How Cocoa Beans are Processed

 

How much do you love a cup of hot chocolate in the morning? Maybe you're a lover of chocolate bars and chips? If so, you might as well know how those sweet pleasures of life came to be. Chocolates come from cocoa beans. But to make them rich and tasty, not just any other cocoa beans are used. Only especially handpicked, top quality beans can create chocolates and chocolate drinks that can delight your meticulous taste buds.

Cocoa beans come from trees called cacao trees. These trees are mostly grown in tropical countries where the warm weather contributes greatly to the high quality production of these fruits. Once the beans are ready for harvest, the long and complex process of turning the beans into fine chocolate takes place.

Right on, it is easy to see that the source of great-tasting chocolates is premium grade cocoa beans. If the raw ingredient is not good enough, the finished product is not going to be anything better. The best cocoa beans right now come from the Dominican Republic. Out there, organic cocoa are grown and cultivated to perfection, at par with the world's standards of quality for organic foods.

After harvesting the cocoa beans, it would have to be fermented and dried. These are two very important processes in cocoa bean production because these stages add to the aroma and quality of the beans. The better the fermentation and drying processes are performed, the richer taste and aroma the beans will have. Strict quality control standards have to be implemented in these stages so that only the most desirable results are achieved.

After fermentation and drying, the cocoa beans have to be handpicked to separate the good fruit from the bad ones. They have to cleaned, fragmented, and stripped of husks before they are blended to become cocoa mass. But even prior to that, the cocoa beans have to be heat-treated in order to fully get rid of possible bacteria contaminants. Heat treatment may mean roasting them over a high temperature. After which, they are grounded finely until they become liquid cocoa mass.

In its liquid cocoa mass form, the beans would then be made into butter to make it fit for chocolate production. The cocoa mass will be filtered so that all solid ingredients are removed. Cocoa butter becomes the raw ingredient for chocolate and chocolate drinks. And they are usually shipped in liquid or solid form.

Cocoa butter is currently used in many applications these days and not just in making chocolates. If you were observant of the newest spa body and hair treatments, you'll see that chocolate massage and hair wax are now being offered. Some toiletries and cosmetic items also add cocoa butter into their ingredients list to make their product fit for its purpose.

In its powder form, cocoa can be used to make cookies, cakes, chocolates, drinks, and all other sweet goodies everybody can't resist. Milk, sugar, and butter are added to it to achieve that taste as required by the recipe. Sooner or later, the finished products such as chocolate bars, delectable cakes, chocolate chip cookies, and all other chocolate-based food items will be shipped to grocery stores and convenience shops for everybody else to consume. Just imagine what life is without chocolates. Surely, it will be bland and dull.

Raw Cacao


Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chocolate Powder, Cacao Power, Mayan Superfood, 16-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 2)
Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chocolate Powder, Cacao Power, Mayan Superfood, 16-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 2)
List Price: $37.24
Sale Price: $25.56
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Description

King of cacao. Raw chocolate - the new red wine. Cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health enhancing properties as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cocoa beans (theobroma cacao/raw chocolate) are the source for all chocolate and cocoa products. Our certified organic, raw cacao is the premium criollo variety. Theobroma literally means food of the goods - so called from the goodness of the seeds and Mexican named the pounded seeds chocolate cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health-enhancing properties, as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physician and mental well-being, including an incredibly rich supply of magnesium. Other essential minerals present in Cacao are calcium, zinc, iron, copper and potassium. Cacao also contains more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. Navitas Naturals vegan cacao nibs are unprocessed, certified organic, raw, peeled cacao beans. Our premium cacao beans come directly from the farmers who cultivate them. These farmers grow their crops on their own land, using sustainable methods that have been used for generations. These cacao beans are guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. USDA organic. Certified organic by Skal International. Imported form Peru. Packed in the USA.

Features

  • Pack of 2 (total 32 oz)
  • Made from pure, 100% natural cacao powder
  • Certified organic, vegan; a good source of minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium
  • Mix into chocolate ice cream, smoothies, or yogurt; an antioxidant-rich supplement with antiseptic, diuretic and soothing properties
  • Navitas Naturals products come directly from the farmers who cultivate them and are free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides
RAW Cocoa Butter 1 Lb
RAW Cocoa Butter 1 Lb
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Description

Madina Cocoa Butter is a pure, crushed butter obtained from the cacao bean. It has a beautiful, rich aroma of dark chocolate. This edible fat from the cocoa pod is a stable fat containing natural antioxidants that give it a long shelf life of over 3 years. Cocoa butter is a soothing emollient that has been used for centuries in Africa for skin care. It has been traditionally used to heal and moisturize skin that has been exposed to the elements. Cocoa butter helps reduce the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy by keeping the skin supple. It is a nourishing addition to lotion bar, lip balm, body butter, soap and belly balm formulations.

Features

  • multitude of topical lotions and creams.
  • skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis
  • helps retain moisture
Cocoa Butter (100% Pure) 7 Ounces
Cocoa Butter (100% Pure) 7 Ounces
List Price: $8.99
Sale Price: $5.18
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Description

Cocoa Butter is an all-natural vegetable fat derived from cocoa beans. Also called Theobroma oil, Cocoa Butter is one of the most stable fats known and has a very mild chocolate flavor and aroma. Christopher Columbus is believed to have brought the first cocoa beans back to Europe as part of the treasures of the New World.

Features

  • 7 Ounces Cream
  • Serving Size:
Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Powder 16 oz
Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Powder 16 oz
List Price: $17.99
Sale Price: $8.95
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Description

Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder brings the chocolate factory to your kitchen, as it instantly transforms smoothies, desserts, pies, and countless other recipes into the healthiest chocolate indulgence around. Put a spoonful into your next treat and understand why this super food has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Plus, with no added sugar, Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder is an exceptionally healthy way to stock up on antioxidants and important minerals like magnesium and iron. Check out the cacao recipe section for great ideas, and make your life as chocolatey as you please! Source and Processing Navitas Naturals cacao beans are hand-selected for quality, partially fermented to alleviate bitterness, and processed at low temperatures for maximum nutrient retention. Once extracted from the pod-like fruit, purified water is used to cleanse the beans. The whole beans are peeled and cold-pressed to from a paste, the bean's oil is extracted, and our nutrient-dense cacao powder is formed.

Features

  • Navitas Naturals - Certified Organic Kosher Raw Vegan Healthy Cacao Chocolate Powder holds 16 ounce
  • A treasure of vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, zinc, chromium and magnesium
  • Organic and Kosher certified
  • Premium Criollo variety
  • Its rich in Antioxidant
Bali Truly Raw Cacao Butter, 9oz - Big Tree Farms
Bali Truly Raw Cacao Butter, 9oz - Big Tree Farms
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Description

Cacao Butter is what white chocolate is made of! Our raw, certified organic, chemical-free cacao butter is the pure oil of the cacao bean. Cacao Butter (Organic, Raw) 1lb Ingredients: Certified Organic Raw Cacao Butter (Vegan.) Contains no chemicals, no hexane and no solvents. Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Our raw organic cacao butter has a high level of stability and a long shelf-life (over a year). Suggested Uses: Cacao butter is edible and possesses an extraordinary rich, delicate chocolate aroma. Add a piece of this butter to your favorite smoothie, dessert, ice cream or chocolate creation. Because it has not been damaged by heat, our cacao butter melts easily and blends nicely into any type of recipe. Cacao Butter makes a great dessert when mixed with coconut oil, agave and cacao. Cacao Butter may be used as a skin moisturizer. It may be used as (or in conjunction with) a massage oil. What is Raw Cacao Butter? Our Cacao butter is created through a proprietary cold-pressed method. This process begins by cold-pressing the organic Cacao Nibs into a "cake" in such a way that the oil begins to separate from the protein and fiber. The temperature is never allowed to exceed (or even reach) 120 degrees Fahrenheit and is usually 104 degrees Fahrenheit (all other cacao butters are exposed to temperatures as high as 300 degrees Fahrenheit!) A high-accuracy thermometer is used throughout processing. Slowly, the pure, liquid cacao butter begins to sift off into a stainless steel valve that takes the cacao butter into a separate container where it is allowed to solidify in an attractive shape and packaged for shipment! Cacao butter melts at approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius.)

Features

  • Certified Organic
  • Vegan and Raw
  • No chemicals, no hexane, no solvents
  • Packed with Nutrition
  • 100% pure love. 100% pure sensual joy
Sunfood Cacao Beans (Organic, Raw), 8-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
Sunfood Cacao Beans (Organic, Raw), 8-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
List Price: $25.90
Sale Price: $23.91
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Description

Direct from the forests of Ecuador, Sunfood’s raw, organic cacao beans are packed with the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. With full-bodied flavor and a rich aroma, these raw cacao beans are perfect to snack on as is or to include in smoothies, desserts and raw nut trail mix combinations to provide everyone the opportunity to experience the healthy benefits of this powerful superfood.

Features

  • Ingredients: organic raw cacao beans Antioxidant and flavonoid rich Source of magnesium, iron, vitamin C Natural source of theobromine, anandamide, phenylethylamine (PEA) and tryptophan
  • Store in a oool, dry place Raw Vegan USDA organic May contain shell fragments
  • 8 ounce. bag This product was packaged in a facility that also processes dairy, wheat, soy peanuts and tree nuts
1 Lb of Raw Cocoa Butter By HalalEveryDay
1 Lb of Raw Cocoa Butter By HalalEveryDay
Sale Price: $7.00
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Description

Color- Light Yellow Odor- cocoa and resembling chocolate Free Fatty Acids- 1.08% Peroxide Value- 1.28 Non-Saponifiables- 0.2-0.4% Saponification Value- 197.7 Iodine Value- 34.8Aroma Indices- 3.20 Total Saturated- 56-72 Total Monounsaturated- 20-40 Total Polyunsaturated- 1-5Fatty AcidsOleic- 29-35% Palmitic- 20-30% Linoleic- 1-3%Cocoa Butter contains natural antioxidants. It is naturally rich in Vitamin E as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin E helps to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin and also provides the skin collagen which assists with wrinkles and other signs of aging. Cocoa Butter also contains cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP), a substance that inhibits the production of the immuno globulin IgE. IgE is known to aggravate symptoms of both dermatitis and asthma. For centuries pregnant women have used to Cocoa Butter formulations to prevent and treat stretch marks, but this pleasant-smelling substance is added to countless other topical preparations. Lotions and oils containing Cocoa Butter are often used in aromatherapy massage to promote relaxation and the feeling well-being. Cocoa Butter is mainly used is a thickening agent and is a common ingredient in lipsticks, soaps and emollient creams. It is also a folk remedy for burns, cough, dry lips, fever, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite and wounds. It is reported to be antiseptic and diuretic.Cocoa Butter may be used:* Add a spoonful to your bath water for a luxurious and healing experience. Especially helpful for those with dry or itchy skin, or sore muscles. Try adding Lavender or Chamomile essential oil as well, or an herbal infusion made from soothing herbs. * In massage, Cocoa Butter is beneficial for overexerted muscles or for dry skin * In soaps, Cocoa Butter has a conditioning effect that adds a good lather. Try incorporating Cocoa Butter into your handmade soap recipes. * Use during pregnancy to keep the skin supple, and to prevent stretch marks.

Features

  • Rich in Vitamin E, Prevents & Treats Stretch Marks
Pack of 2 Recycled Maui Counter Bar Stools -Raw Sienna with Cocoa Brown Seat
Pack of 2 Recycled Maui Counter Bar Stools -Raw Sienna with Cocoa Brown Seat
List Price: $449.99
Sale Price: $359.99
You save: $90.00 (20%)
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Description

From the Maui Collection These sleek and stylish bar stools feature a deep contoured faux wood saddle seat that provides superior comfort. Have the "look" of wood but are made from mostly all recycled materials, so you can kick back, relax and feel good about your purchase. Super-sturdy and built to last, even in strong winds you won't have to worry about your stools blowing away. All weather, resistant to all types of weather conditions including rain, snow, salt water, sun and ice. Contains UV-inhibited pigment systems that reduces fading. Does not absorb moisture and will not rot, splinter or crack. Color: cocoa brown seat with raw sienna legs Material(s): post-consumer bottle waste, such as milk and detergent bottles/18-8 commercial grade stainless steel hardware/catalyst glaze finish/faux wood seat *All post-consumer materials go through an intense sanitation process Dimensions: 24.25"H x 19"W x 14 3/8"D 9.25"D x 17.5"W seat size Care instructions: wash with soap and water Assembly required For indoor/outdoor use Made in the USA Pack includes 2 of the stool shown *Please Note: stools are made to order and it may take an additional 5-10 days to process and ship

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