Who Doesn’t Like Good Chocolate?

I was discussing candy with my kids tonight and various candies were mentioned as favorites, including gummies and nerds. I was quiet until they asked me and I said, “Hands down my favorite and only really candy is chocolate.” So although cocao powder is not chocolate candy, it can be used to make a delicious chocolate candy (with coconut oil) and it makes anything that is chocolate flavor downright delicious.

What I like best about this  raw organic cocoa powder is how  creamy and smooth and  full of rich chocolate flavor it is. It has no bitter taste or gritty mouth feel. And best of all, this cocoa is non-GMO project verified, gluten free and vegan friendly. It is also sustainably grown in Ecuador. It is hard to beat all of that.

Fine Naturals Cacao powder is made from the very best cacao beans that can be found. There are three variations of cacao, the Criollo, the Forastero and a hybrid of the two, the Trinitario. The Criollo is the rarest and richest variety.
When the Criollo is also “Arriba” (high altitude grown) than it is hailed as the ’emperor of Cacao beans” -for its unique flavor and delicate aroma, honoring the true essence of good rich dark chocolate. Unlike more commonly found , cheaper commercial cocoa products often derived from the Forastero variety for its abundance and convenience,  this cacao is only sourced from the highest quality beans from Arriba Criollo pods. Characterized by a unique flavor profile, with notes of vanilla and hints of caramel there is a complete lack of  the bitterness commonly associated with Forastero and Trinitario.

When you bake with natural cocoa (non-alkalized) be sure to use it in baking recipes that call for this cocoa or those that contain Baking Soda as a leavening agent.

To substitute, you can follow this guideline:  for 3 tbsp Dutch processed (alkalized) cocoa use 3 tbsp Natural Cocoa plus 1/8 tsp baking soda.