Tag: Cacao vs chocolate

According to scientific findings, 100% cacao contains a potent concentration of flavonoids—antioxidants known to improve blood flow and support heart health. So, beyond a daring culinary experience, the real question is: why eat 100% chocolate and unlock its profound benefits?

Cacao nibs boast more than 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries, solidifying their status as a nutritional powerhouse. But are chocolate nibs healthy, especially compared to other chocolate forms? This guide delves into their impressive nutritional profile, numerous health benefits, and how to incorporate them into your diet.

According to a 2011 study, cocoa powder and dark chocolate were found to be richer in protective antioxidants than both blueberries and pomegranates. This fact prompts the question: is cacao better for you than chocolate, and how much of its nutritional power is lost in the process of making the chocolate we know and love?

The first chocolate drinks were made by the Mayan people thousands of years ago, but modern-day drinking chocolate is a vastly different beverage. Many people wonder: is cacao the same as drinking chocolate? While both share the cacao bean as a base, the preparation and final product differ significantly in taste, texture, and nutritional value.

Records show the seeds of the *Theobroma cacao* tree were used as a food source over 5,300 years ago in Ecuador, long before the modern confection we know today. But does cacao count as chocolate? The short answer is no, but it is the raw foundation from which all true chocolate is made.