Cocoa V Cacao

Until recently, you have probably never even heard of cacao. Growing up, mum would use cocoa in all her cooking – chocolate brownies and muffins, slices and rum balls all heavily featured cocoa powder.

Now, cacao is considered a healthier alternative. But do you really know the difference? And no, the answer isn’t just a few vowels!

Both cacao powder and cocoa powder both come from the same source – the cacao bean – but there is a big difference when it comes to nutrition.

Cacao

Cacao is the purest form of chocolate – it’s basically the raw, unprocessed form.

The cacao fruit tree produces pods, which are cracked open to release beans. Raw cacao powder is made by cold-pressing the uncooked cacao beans, meaning they are unprocessed and additive free. Cacao therefore contains more antioxidants and retains its nutritional benefits of fibre, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, calcium and essential fatty acids.

There are many health benefits of cacao, including lowering insulin resistance and blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, protecting your nervous system and boosting your mood!

Other products made from the cacao fruit tree include cacao butter (made from the white, fatty lining of the bean) and cacao nibs (beans that have been chopped into edible pieces).

Cocoa

Cocoa powder may look the same, but there’s a very big difference – heat treatment. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that has been roasted at high temperatures, destroying its nutritional benefits and changing its molecular structure.

Interestingly, it’s not currently known whether heating raw cacao destroys some of its health benefits. However, starting with the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate is always going to be better for you.

Here is a recipe from our friend Collette at Cut Out The Crap that uses cacao to make a delicious and healthy treat!


Have you been living with a health condition for years that hasn’t responded to conventional medicine effectively? Or are you simply not feeling your best?

Click here to download our free guide with tips and steps you can take to feel well again, naturally. This guide covers everything you need for healthy living – diet, sleep, stress and supplements.

Previous slide
Next slide

Free 15 Minute Phone Consult

Whether you need a quick remedy for a cold or flu or you suffer from a chronic condition, our qualified Naturopaths are ready to help you with a FREE 15 minute phone consult, the best natural supplements, herbal medicines and lifestyle advice.

There’s no need to book an appointment, simply phone the clinic on 02 4961 4075 and be directed to a qualified Naturopath for your free consultation.

Have questions? Eager to know more? Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!

16 Murray Street Hamilton NSW 2303

Disclaimer – This website is designed to inform clients about ways to possibly improve their health. The opinions of the Mullen Natural Health Centre are our opinion only. Please consult your own healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Join Waitlist We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Please leave your valid email address below.