Have you ever asked yourself, “What is Cacao Powder?”

Put simply – Cacao Powder is one of the most complex foods on Earth.

It is thought that the word ‘chocolate’ has evolved from the Aztec word, ‘xocoatl’, which is the name of a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans (and sometimes mixed with chilli), the edible part of the pods grown on cacao trees. Cacao was regarded so highly by the Mayans and Aztecs they called it the ‘food of the Gods’ and often used it as a form of currency.

Creative Nature Cacao Powder is organic, and comes from the Criollo (highest quality) beans. It is a beautiful brown, superfood powder that is similar to the processed cocoa powder you may have in your cupboard, (only healthier) and can be used in the same way.

The difference between raw cacao powder vs cocoa powder is, because cacao powder is minimally processed, the health benefits are greater. Commercial cocoa powders might have added sugars, sweeteners, milk powders or flavours too.

Our superfood cacao powder is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to make your body feel amazing. Make a hot chocolate with this and you can argue it’s a healthy treat. This product is also certified as kosher.

By choosing dark chocolate and unsweetened cacao products like our nibs, you can minimize health risks linked to eating too much sugar, including weight gain.

Cacao powder benefits include it being high in iron, magnesium, zinc and copper as well as the previously mentioned antioxidants. These help to protect the body from outside pollution. The antioxidants help absorb free radicals and reduce cell ageing, damage and stress. As well as all of those things, it is a brilliant source of fibre and healthy fats.

This month is Organic September – a month long campaign to raise the awareness of organic products and brands.

We have a range of Creative Nature organic and vegan baking mixes which sit alongside our superfoods like our Cacao powder and nibs. We also have an amazingly tasty, nut-free chocolate cake.

The following baking mixes are all organic and vegan recipes.

· Chia and cacao choc chip

· Banana bread

· Organic chia mulberry muffin

· Chai & cacao choc chip muffin

We also have a snack bar that uses cacao powder and nibs – the Oh Wow Cacao Choc Oatie Bar. Always handy to have when you are out and about and need a snack that is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut free and Kosher.

Our superfood organic products include:

· Barley Grass

· Cacao powder

· Cacao nibs

· Maca powder

· Shelled hemp seeds

· Hemp protein powder

You can sprinkle Cacao powder over porridge, muesli, granola or other cereals. It is perfect when used to make a warm nut free chocolate drink, replacing your less healthy cocoa powder. During these ever-hotter Summers, you can also make chocolate ice-cream – we even have a recipe on our website.

Our organic maca powder is completely nut free but has a nutty, butterscotch taste so mixes well with the cacao powder or cacao nibs, added to raw foods, such as smoothies. Berry Maca Smoothie is another recipe that uses our organic superfood.

If you use raw cacao powder or raw cacao nibs, some of the antioxidants will be destroyed by heat if you bake with them. But used in smoothies, or sprinkled in porridge is a great way to use them, and also perfect for making uncooked desserts, or even protein snack balls.

Ellen Barnes

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