Foodgasm Spotlight

Foodgasm Spotlight: Raw Cacao Powder

Raw Cacao Powder is poo-coloured fairy dust from the taste bud Gods. Or at least this is how I describe it. Rich, versatile and deep nutritious, I thought everyone knew about raw cacao – the less processed version of cocoa powder. It is the dried ‘cake’ leftover when cacao butter is extracted from cacao beans. Essentially it’s all the goodness from the cacao bean, minus the fat. Not that cacao fat isn’t glorious, but it is rich, and sometimes we want to combine cacao powder with alternate fats like avocado, coconut, nuts and seeds.

Several months ago a lady who attends one of my yoga classes was talking to me before class. She likes giving me nutrition advice because apparently my degree in Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine means nothing and she knows far more than I. Sense the tone. Somehow it came up that I love adding cacao to my morning smoothie and you should’ve seen the look on her face. She was shocked. How could I – a nutritionist – eat cacao?

She started telling me how “bad” it is for your health. This may just be the closest I’ve ever come to hitting a woman. I gently explained that raw cacao is the best food source of magnesium and rich in many other minerals. I told her that it can elevate mood and reduce systemic inflammation. And to that, I silently declared, “climb back into your box chocolate” (pardon the pun).

In all fairness, I must give credit where credit’s due. She reminded me that there are still people alive who don’t know how wonderful cacao is. Consider this post a lesson in the merits of raw cacao.

I’ll keep this brief and informative.

Here’s a list of what raw cacao can do for ya’ll;

You can’t go past a simple smoothie. A yummy liquid (plant-based milk or coconut water), greens (zucchini or baby spinach are most neutral), sweetener (green stevia, monk fruit or frozen banana), ice cubes (to thicken) and 3 level teaspoons (or 1 level Tablespoon) of raw cacao. I like to add cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, chilli, ginger and fennel seed for a chocolate-chai experience.

The Seductive Chocolate Foodgasm Pudding in Periods, Poo & A Glorious You is perhaps the most delicious dessert you will ever encounter. Whenever I enjoy this pudding I overhear loud groans of pleasure and consider asking my neighbours to get a room.

Then I realise the sounds are coming from my own mouth.

Almost as delightful, are the Bitch, Please! Patty Cakes (also in Periods, Poo & A Glorious You). Both the pudding and the cakes are most indulgent enjoyed with your favourite nut or seed butter.

Then there’s raw desserts – my first introduction to raw cacao. You can try raw chocolate cakes, bliss balls, caramel slice, brownies and milkshakes at most organik/health food cafes/food stalls these days and they are worth a try if you’re a fan of dark chocolate. Raw dark chocolate is a delicious alternative to regular dark chocolate made from cacao powder. Bulk food stores, such as The Source Bulk Foods, sell Loving Earth chocolate by the gram.

More options include adding cacao powder to your porridge (top with peanut butter and sliced banana, or berries and cashew butter),  blending it with hazelnuts, coconut cream and pitted Medjool dates for choc-hazelnut spread, or stirring through nut butter, coconut oil and your sweetener of choice and freezing in a small dish for an instant ‘freezer fudge’. You can use tahini for a nut-free option.

Try this …

Chocolate Freezer Fudge

Serves 1 

2 Tablespoons almond butter (any nut paste will do) or tahini

1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon rice malt syrup or raw honey

1 teaspoon raw cacao powder

Method

Mix ingredients together in a small dish and freeze for 30 minutes or until ‘set’. Remove and enjoy slowly and gratefully with a miniature teaspoon. This is heaven. Better than a classic chocolate bar.

Where to buy

Organic raw cacao powder is available at health and bulk food stores and most supermarkets. It’s also easy to order online.