| Sarah Lesslie
Raw Cacao
What Is Raw Cacao?
While the spelling is similar to cocoa, raw cacao is something else. By cold pressing un-roasted cacao bean, raw cacao is formed. This is done to remove the fat, which is made into cacao butter, and keep the enzymes within the raw cacao alive. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that has been roasted at a high temperature, which changes the molecular structure of the bean. This lowers the overall nutritional value.
History of Raw Cacao
It is believed that the Olmec Indians were the first to grow the raw cacao as a crop from about 1500 BC and by 600 AD the Mayans took cacao with them and created plantations. The raw cacao has a place in the creation myths of both the Mayans and the Aztecs. While Cortez brought it to Spain, it was Columbus who was the first European to encounter the bean. Even though it is not as worshipped today like it had been when the Aztecs performed their rituals and festivals, (http://www.getnativ.com/raw-cacao-history-health-benefits/), but it is almost there in the hearts of many.
Health Benefits of Raw Cacao
As with chocolate, there are numerous health benefits to raw cacao. It reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, boosts your mood, reduces blood pressure, and even contains 36% of the daily recommended intake of dietary fiber. There are many people who are not aware of what they are missing out on. There are so many things that are good for us in a state that hasn’t been incredibly processed, but the information simply hasn’t been accessed.
