A question I often get asked is "what is raw chocolate?"
Raw chocolate is a delicious, organic treat. It's made by drying out the cacao beans naturally, so that they retain all of their nutritional goodness. It is packed with health-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and protein and is totally indulgent, rich and creamy.
So, how is it made?
The first thing to do is clarify the difference between cacao and cocoa. Cacao is the raw bean from which chocolate is made. Cocoa is a product made from the roasted, dried and ground cacao beans.
Cacao is the bean and cocoa is the heated, dried, ground and processed product which comes from the bean.
When making raw chocolate, the beans, once harvested, are packed in wooden boxes so that the fleshy white pulp surrounding the beans can ferment slowly and naturally, which enhances the flavour. The beans are then spread out in the heat of the sun to dry. This process takes several days as opposed to the roasting process, but retains all of the beans' natural goodness. When the beans have been sufficiently dehydrated, the husks are removed and the cacao nibs collected. The nibs are then ground into a liquid paste, or liquor. Cacao butter is added and then it is ground further into a smooth, velvety texture which is poured into moulds and set, ready to indulge in.
One of the main pluses, for me, is that the ingredients used to make raw chocolate will contain no refined cane sugar, no dairy, no wheat or gluten, no packers or bulking agents and no artificial additives, flavours, preservatives or colours. This is chocolate without the junk.
What raw chocolate will contain is, low glycemic natural sweeteners such as coconut blossom sugar, or dried, ground fruit powders.
Who is raw chocolate for?
Everyone! Raw chocolate is simply a great product which is natural and undergoes minimal processing and can be enjoyed by all. Whether you are a gourmand, a health conscious individual with a sweet tooth, vegan, lactose intolerant, a baker, a child (ask my two), or just a lover of chocolate, everyone can enjoy it.
So next time you fancy a sweet treat, why not browse some of my products and see what takes your fancy.