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Raw cacao, also known as raw chocolate or cocoa, is an increasingly popular healthy alternative to regular chocolate. It is an appetite suppressant so it can help in losing weight. It makes you feel good too since it’s a natural anti-depressant. Raw chocolate is also great in raw puddings (see recipe below) or makes a satisfying snack.
Cacao beans contain over 300 chemically identifiable compounds making it one of the most complex food substances on Earth! Here are some of its most important and powerful components:
- Magnesium: Magnesium helps to promote the health of the heart muscle and also reduces blood coagulation, therefore lowering blood pressure. Cacao is loaded with Magnesium.
- Antioxidants: Cacao beans are rich in antioxidant flavonols. Cacao beans contain a staggering 10% antioxidant concentration level! Cacao is one of the richest sources of antioxidants of any food.
- Phenylethylamine (PEA): PEA is a chemical in cacao that helps us stay alert. Higher PEA levels occur when we are fascinated or captivated by something and are abundant in the brains of happy people. Cacao has been found to contain up to 2.2% phenylethylamine (PEA).
- Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical): Cacao has been found to contain a significant amount of a neurotransmitter called anandamide. Anandamide is known as "the bliss chemical" because when it is released it makes us feel great.
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO Inhibitors): When consumed, MAO inhibitors allow more serotonin and other neurotransmitters such as anandamide and dopamine be released. MAO inhibitors, according to Dr. Gabriel Cousens facilitate rejuvenation and youthening.
Produced under ecological standards and free from agrochemicals, Raw Gaia’s cacao nibs can be eaten in a variety of ways:
- On their own: they are delicious, like crunchy dark chocolate.
- Cacao nibs can be sweetened up by eating them with berries such as gojis or raisins, like a trail mix you can make yourself.
- They can be simply added to your breakfast cereal.
- Cacao nibs can be blended into smoothies with ingredients like banana, cashews, dates and water
- Or you can make your own raw chocolate bars or brownies, following the recipe below!
This is our own raw chocolate recipe and we highly recommend it!: Grind cashews and to a power, add raw carob powder, raw cacao powder and melted cacao butter. Maple syrup or agave can be added for extra sweetness. The mix is about a fifth of each ingredient, but you can add more cacao if you want it stronger. Mix the whole lot well and put it in a mould (a tupperware or ice cube tray will do). Put it in the fridge to set for about 20 minutes. You can play with this recipe and even add a little bit of water to make it more fudgey. The result will be always yummy!
Warning! Don’t give cacao to dogs as it is very poisonous to them and could lead to renal failure.
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