Cacao Powder

Raw cacao powder — lightly roasted cacao beans, ground. Deep, earthy and completely unsweetened. This is what chocolate tastes like before anyone adds sugar to it.

What it tastes like

Bitter, and more intense than cocoa powder from a supermarket. There is a fruitiness underneath the bitterness that cheaper cocoa does not have, because the beans are roasted lightly rather than hard.

It is not sweet at all. Used on its own it will taste sharp. It is an ingredient, not a drink — it needs sweetening from somewhere, whether that is a banana in a smoothie or a syrup in hot chocolate.

How to use it

• Smoothies — a teaspoon is plenty. Two is a lot
• Hot chocolate — make a paste with a little hot liquid first, or it clumps
• Baking — swaps for cocoa powder one for one, but expect a stronger, more bitter result
• Overnight oats and yogurt — stir it in the night before so it hydrates
• Dusting — over truffles, tiramisu, or a flat white

Make a paste first, always. Cacao powder does not dissolve into cold liquid on its own — it floats and clumps. Mix it with a spoonful of something wet before adding the rest.

Ingredients and label

Cacao. The full nutrition panel and ingredient statement are printed on the bag.

Certifications

Non-GMO · Kosher · Vegan · Dairy Free · Gluten Free

Common questions

Is it certified organic?
No. We are not USDA organic certified and we do not use the word. If you find an older listing that says otherwise, it is out of date.

What is the difference between cacao and cocoa?
Processing. Cacao is roasted at lower temperatures and left unalkalised, which keeps more of the fruit character and makes it sharper. Cocoa is usually roasted harder and often Dutch-processed, which makes it darker, milder and more soluble.

Can I use it instead of cocoa in a recipe?
Yes, one for one. The result will be stronger and more bitter, so you may want slightly more sweetener than the recipe says.

Does it dissolve in cold milk?
Not well. Make a paste with a little warm liquid first.

No one is perfect. Just have good balance.