Oh No! No raw chocolate???

[sungoddess]

On rawbakery.com, they sell cocoa powder which is roasted stating:

Information: Raw Bakery doubts that so called raw cacao powder exists. We have seen and tasted "raw" cacao beans/nibs. What is sold on the market as "raw, living" cacao beans/nibs is acutally, we believe, a roasted version, because the chocolate flavor in the beans is developed only by heat, just like the flavor of originally green coffee beans is brought out by roasting and heating. Besides that the cacao bean's skin has to be removed by high heat as well, because it sticks to much to the nibs.

I want to know what everyone thinks of this!!!! ah!!!!

[Goldsplinter]

You might be right, I got some pimples, and thought that it might be because of the cacao nibs, I e-mailed the company who delivered them and they said it's raw.

So i'll eat a lot again sometime or something, and see if I get more pimples. I think the nibs not being raw is what's probably caused it, maybe, because nothing raw ever gives me pimples....so far :)

[sungoddess]

interesting, seeing as all raw has given me is pimples, this is something to look into. It really would do me good to cut out cacao because of it not being raw because I WOULD, and therefore would be tempted to eat a lot leess raw "junk" that you can find around NYC. :) If I found ou that cacao was cooked, It would be so easy to cut it out. Thats what I did with maranatha nut butter when I found out, and cashews and nutritional yeast and maple syrup. If its not raw I won't eat it... my will power only goes that far though... watch out coconut flakes...

[Coriander74]

www.rawfood.com

They sell raw cacao powder there... it's quite pricey but worth it if you're having serious choco-cravings :D

[sungoddess]

I have this powder and love it! However, I am now afraid that none are to be trusted... am I being too paranoid?

[maraw]

I carry raw cacao on my web site, and had a lengthy discussion with the makers before purchasing it. The assured me, that it is indeed raw (that is, heated under 118 degrees). I had a similar conversion with Madhava before buying their agave nectar.

Both of these manufacturers understand and appreciate that their market is the raw organic folks. Why limit yourself to such a small group, rather than appeal to the more mainstream? In other words, why fabricate a big lie?

I have always felt that choosing raw is about making choices - all kinds. If a label says "raw" you can either choose to believe it, or not. Definitely feel free to bring questions to your raw food friends here. But if you don't get an answer that truly satisfies your concern, then make your decision based on what your gut says. And then be happy!

I hope this helps. I may have only added to your confusion. I certainly hope not. :o

Best wishes,
Anna

[Sharon in Colorado]

I think also that by using any kind of packaged, prepared, processed type of food you are not really on a pure fresh diet, that even if it was questionable, it may not affect you anyway.

I will use organic cocoa in recipes because it's more affordable.

I'm not wild about raw carob but do use it on occasion.

I find that the "raw" cacao nibs leave an aftertaste, but I have not tried the cacao powder yet, maybe it is better.

[Pierre]

I have some cacao nibs and eat them on occasion. They do not, to me, taste like chocolate, but I have not tried them ground and sweetened.

[sport]

I have some cacao nibs and eat them on occasion. They do not, to me, taste like chocolate, but I have not tried them ground and sweetened.
I have nibs (which I have found no use for yet) and I have powder which I use to make chocolate and icecream.
Are you saying, Pierre, that the powder has been sweetened.

Just checked it. It says 100% raw Organic Chocolate Powder.

[Sheryl]

I have personally opened a cacao pod, eaten the fruit, and dried the beans. It tastes similar to the raw cacao nibs and beans I buy. Totally different than fermented or roasted.

If you are buying from a reputable source raw cacao IS possible, and is very tasty too!!
Sheryl

[Missrawdiva]

I like to take raw coca, found on rawfood.com, I take raw coconut, shred it and mix it with the raw coca. I take the coca and stick it in the coffee grinder, then I mix them both, and add raw agave nector along with coconut oil. IT IS THE MOST DELICIOUS TREAT AND HEALTHY FOR YOU!

[Conscious Midwife]

Bought some RAW CACAO nibs at LEAF Cuisine in person in CA. Satisfied with the lable and the price. HAven't opened them yet.

I use GREEN and BLACKS Organic Cocoa Powder, which if I remeber correctly is also raw, well maybe I'd have to run down to the kitchen tobe sure.

Is it nibs or powder that RP uses in her Brownie recipe, I plan to make these again tonight.

the raw and organic combo w/ respect to nuts is where I have a problem. I can purchase truely raw cashews at my little mediteranean market but the guy hasn't a clue when I ask himm about organic. I'll have hubby translate next time I go.