Cocoa beans raw cocoa

Cocoa beans are seeds that come from the actual cocoa tree. This plant comes from the stiff family. It grows wild in regions of Central America and some regions of South America, but is also cultivated in Africa and Asia. The largest production of cocoa beans takes place in Africa, especially in the Gulf of Guinea. The cocoa drink is very popular in these areas and was already consumed in America by the Native Americans. The fruit of this plant resembles a rugby ball, inside there is meat and 20-60 grains inside. During the harvest, the cocoa beans are stored in mounds that remain covered for about 5 days. In these few days they undergo a first fermentation. In the next step, the grain is removed from the fruit, subjected to secondary fermentation and then dried. The grain prepared in this way is ready to eat and is most valuable in this form.
Cocoa Beans as Superfoods:

Cocoa beans are one of the superfoods. This means that they are foods rich in many health-promoting nutrients that have been shown to have positive effects on human health. They contain many flavonoids, mainly catechins and epicatechins. Flavonoids work together with vitamin C to remove free radicals from the body, thereby supporting immunity, can reduce aging and aid in body regeneration. The minerals it contains are magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, potassium, chromium and manganese. Magnesium is the most complex of the listed minerals. Raw cacao contains one of the highest levels of magnesium in 100g of product. Magnesium is an essential mineral for the proper functioning of the body and energy metabolism. It affects the proper functioning of muscles, being responsible for their contractions. It acts as a transmitter and is involved in protein synthesis. It also has a positive effect on concentration, has a calming effect and can improve sleep quality. It also helps you deal with stress. Zinc and selenium have an antioxidant effect, have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails. In addition, they support immunity. Potassium has a positive effect on the nervous, circulatory and muscular systems. Along with magnesium, it can reduce the occurrence of cramps and interfere with the proper functioning of muscles.

Cacao also contains caffeine and theobromine to stimulate and revitalize the body. This can have a positive effect on concentration and thought processes. Thanks to these properties, it can be a substitute for coffee in the diet. Phenylethylamine (PEA), also found in raw cocoa, affects the release of endorphins, which improve our mood. Because of this, mood improves after eating products containing cocoa.

What is the difference between raw cocoa and processed cocoa?

Raw cocoa powder or beans is a product that has not been cooked. Thanks to this, it contains all the useful ingredients that are in it. Roasted grains and other technological processes that used high temperatures lose their properties. Vitamins and minerals are destroyed and they lose their antioxidant properties. It is worth paying attention to the composition of the product, because the traditional cocoa powder that we have on the shelves in the store is not a raw version. The packaging must say that it is raw cocoa or the words RAW for raw product. Cocoa, which is found in chocolate with fats and a lot of sugar, does not have a beneficial effect on our health. When choosing chocolate, it is best to choose the one that contains the highest percentage of cocoa and no sugar.

Raw cocoa has a characteristic bitter taste, if it bothers us it is worth adding it to sweet fruits, plant milk or in the company of erythritol or xylitol, which provide sweetness. Grains can be a separate snack and in the form of a powder as a topping for cakes, porridge, an ingredient in cocktails or other desserts.