Chocolate chips are one of the most frequently used ingredients in the baking world. There are chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip pancakes, chocolate chip brownies, and a lot more that we don’t have time to name. Even though the day celebrates the chocolate chip for all its magnificence, we want to shift the focus to raw cacao powder and raw cacao nibs, which are the much healthier and cleanse-approved options.
Regular cocoa powder and chocolate chips are typically roasted and chemically processed, which destroys the inherent nutritional benefits of cacao beans. Note that there is a difference between cacao and cocoa. Cocoa is the processed powder that has been commercially advertised and cacao refers to the tree, from which cocoa is derived.
A recent study found that about 60-90% of the original antioxidants and flavanols in cacao are lost during Dutch processing. Developed in the early 1800s, this method of processing reduces the bitterness, creates a mellow flavor, and darkens the chocolate. Additionally, most processed chocolate is treated with toxic pesticides, fumigation chemicals, and GMOs. This is why we endorse the consumption of raw cacao nibs or powder. See the benefits in the list below.
Benefits of Raw Cacao
- Highest plant-based source of iron
- 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries
- More calcium per gram than milk
- Rich source of magnesium
- Boosts your mood
Skinny Chocolate Shake
Get ready to satisfy your chocolate milkshake craving! This shake is nutrient-dense, so you can enjoy dessert without feeling guilty.
Click here to make the recipe.
3-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Mousse
If you are a lover of all things chocolate and mint, you are in for an absolute treat. Indulge your sweet tooth with this guilt-free treat.
Click here to make the recipe.
Raw Chocolate Brownie Bites
If you need a little sweetness in your life, make these for a guilt-free holiday dessert. The raw cacao and coconut combo is a match made in heaven. Enjoy these by yourself or make them for a holiday party!
Click here to make the recipe.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
