Raw Cacao Nibs
Are you guys familiar with these? Raw Cacao is basically chocolate in its raw state, before it gets processed or sweetened.
It took me a few tastes to appreciate cacaos subtle, rich, buttery, bitter self. Even though I knew these nibs were unsweetened and I knew that they were raw cacao beans, the first time I tried them my brain was still expecting them to taste sweet (like little rich, chocolate chips or something). So needless to say, it was this sweet expectation of mine that really threw me off.
It’s like when you think you are biting into a dill pickle and it turns out to be a sweet pickle. It’s not that the sweet pickle is bad, it’s just tastes bad in that moment because it’s not what you were expecting. It catches you off guard… that was my first experience with Cacao Nibs.
But I will say, these little crunchy, rich, buttery nibs have a way of growing on you. And eating them by the handful with some Goji berries or raisins makes for an addictive combination.
Cacao has been growing in popularity due to its nutritive and health-enhancing properties. It is rich in magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper and potassium. But one of its most popular benefits is the high antioxidant content. According to the back of the bag, “Cacao beans have more antioxidant flavinoids than red wine, green tea, and blueberries”.
Like I’ve mentioned before, I don’t believe any one food is going to make or break a healthy diet but the way I look at it is the more “power foods” you can get in, the better. Although an 8 oz bag of these babies will cost you about ten bucks, they last for a pretty long time. I find I use them mostly either on top of snacks like my “banana boat”, stirred into a smoothie, or plain with a handful of dried fruit.
I know you can bake with them as well but I haven’t tried that yet. I do want to try something in the baking arena with these little guys so if you guys have any ideas, tips, or recipes I’d love to hear them!
Serving Size: 2 tbsp Calories: 140; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 30mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Fiber: 8g; Sugars: 2g; Protein: 1g
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I’m Dani, a Health Counselor, Weight Loss Coach, Fitness Enthusiast and Mom specializing in making simple, nourishing meals fun, fresh, and delish!
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Hey Dani,
I know exactly what you mean. When my friend first suggested I try natural peanut butter I thought it was a brilliant idea – until I tasted it! Yuck!! I was expecting the good ol’ sugar-salt-and-oil- added-in taste. Determined to eat better, I started mixing it half and half to adjust myself. When I found my self on a new diet that didn’t allow for those additives, I had no choice but to eat the natural pb. Now I love it and wouldn’t switch back! It just takes time to get used to not having sugar added to everything we eat – I mean, they add sugar to table salt for crying out loud!
Thanks for introducing me to new foods – I will get these next time I’m out. I’ve been adding cacao powder to some smoothies to get my chocolate fix but I am excited to try them like this as well.
Krista – You make a great point…eating over sweetened, super high fat, processed foods skewers our taste buds. I think this is why so many people have a hard time making the switch to whole, healthy foods…compared to the extreme flavors their taste buds grow used to real whole foods can taste bland in comparison. But like you said, once you make the choice to eat well, you’ll NEVER go back:)!!
Hi Dani, I have yet to try cacao nibs myself, but I have this cookie recipe bookmarked on the try-this-ASAP-list:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nibby-buckwheat-butter-cookies-recipe.html
so I guess that’s one way to start baking with them!
Dani, these look fantastic and I have a feeling that there are many variations on this snack that are incredibly kid-friendly as well!
When I have to train before 5 or 6am, I usually blitz together a frozen banana, 1/2c cottage cheese and a hint of agave for a creamy, delicious meal. I might just toss in cacao nibs to make it a dessert!
My sister is a pastry chef (by training) and often incorporates the nibs into ganache or between layer cakes to juxtapose the sweetness. They’d also be great in some cranberry or dried cherry muffins.
Joanna – Thanks for the link…I’m adding it to my “must tries”:).
Jaya – I love the sound of that banana/cottage cheese treat…yum! Thanks for all the great suggestions!
I am going to have to look for some nibs.
Hi Dani,
Where do i buy these Raw Chocolate Nibs that u use in this recipe, pic shown above…
Looking forward to your suggestion.
Thanks
Priya
Priya – I buy them at Whole Foods.
Are the nibs the same as raw cacao logs? I recently went to the DR and purchased a log of what I believe is raw cacao. I am wondering what to do with it.