Rainforest Foods Organic Peruvian Cacao Powder 250g

Rainforest Foods Organic Cacao Powder 250g

Product Information - What is Cacao?

Cacao, or Cocoa, is the fruit of a small, evergreen tree called Theobroma cacao. It grows in tropical climates, particularly in South America. Cacao is best-known as the base material in chocolate production, but has in recent years become known as a highly nutritious food in its own right.

Cacao is a source of antioxidant flavanoids the cacao flavanoid group is known collectively as flavanols. The antioxidant provision of foods is measured on a scale referred to as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity). Cacao has an exceptionally high ORAC score. It is also significantly rich in magnesium and fats such as Oleic acid, the fat found in olive oil.

A well-known Harvard Medical School study investigated the effects of Cacao on the Kuma Indians of Panama, comparing a group given to drinking large quantities of home-prepared Cacao with another exhibiting more modern dietary habits. The results were startling: put simply, the Cacao-consuming group had much lower rates of stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer than the other.

Production - How it's made

Rainforest Foods Cacao is produced by organic growers in Peru. It is harvested by hand as pods. These are broken apart and the pulp surrounding the beans allowed to ferment. It eventually runs away as liquid. The fermentation not only removes the pulp but also reduces the beans' bitterness. The beans are then cleaned, dried, roasted and peeled, before being ground into Cacao paste. This is pressed, separating it into Cacao butter and Cacao cake. The cake is ground finely into Cacao powder.

Suggested Use

Cacao powder is a versatile ingredient that can be added to many foods, used in baking, smoothies or in warm drinks. Consume two tablespoons per day.