‘Ulu (Breadfruit), Poi, Noni, Spirulina and ‘Olena are local favorites that are known as Hawaiian Superfoods. Cacao farming in Hawaii and the demand for Hawaiian Chocolate is on the rise! In 2017, Manoa Chocolate & CTHAR put Hawaiian Chocolate on the map- as one of the best in the world by placing at the International Chocolate Awards (read more). We are happy to announce that Raw Cacao is an unexpected Hawaiian Superfood!
Ocean Grace Farms is excited to share the outstanding health and medicinal benefits of Raw Hawaiian Cacao. While deciding which products to make from our Hawaii Island Grown Estate Cacao Trees we simply must include one that retains the superfood qualities of raw cacao.
Benefits of Raw Hawaiian Cacao
Eating Cacao nibs help maintain muscle and nerve function, lose weight and keep you regular, prevent anemia, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, treat diarrhea, and enhance mood. (Dr. Axe)
Cacao is the highest plant-based source of iron known to man, at a whopping 7.3mg per 100g. This compares to beef and lamb at 2.5mg, and spinach at 3.6mg. Note the iron in cacao is non-heme (as is all plant-based iron), so to get the maximum benefits you’ll want to combine it with some vitamin C. (Be Good Organics)
Raw cacao powder contains more than 300 different chemical compounds and nearly four times the antioxidant power of your average dark chocolate – more than 20 times than that of blueberries. Protein, calcium, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, sulfur, flavonoids, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids are also present. The precise blend of all these elements combined serve to kick in naturally occurring phytochemicals that have incredible benefits throughout the body, such as lowered LDL cholesterol, improved heart function, and reduced cancer risk. (Mercola)
Cacao vs Cocoa
Cacao and cocoa are essentially the same thing. The biggest difference is cocoa is heated at a higher temperature during process, thus loses some of the beneficial nutrition cacao contains. Cocoa also typically has more additives, while cacao is typically raw and a bit healthier. (Source: Dr. Axe)
References & Sources
- Hawaiian Chocolate FAQS Source: Hawaiian Chocolate & Cacao Association
- What is Cacao Good For? Source: Mercola
- Cacao Nibs: Superfood that Boosts Energy and Burns Fat Source: Dr. Axe
- 5 BENEFITS OF RAW ORGANIC CACAO Source: Be Good Organics
- 5 Antioxidant Rich Foods from Hawaii Source: Nutrex Hawaii
- Beans from a University of Hawaiʻi cacao trial begun in 2005 were among the 18 International Cocoa Awards winners announced at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in November 2017.