Who, here, eats raw chocolate?

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

Do you feel it is a luxury/slip-up or something you like to enjoy once in a while(for reasons other than comfort/emotions :) )

I have made some before, but it didn't turn out too great, then today, in town, I was pleasantly surprised to find a new brand of raw vegan sugar free chocolate in a certain health store, naturally I was curious to try it, it tasted like chocolate fudge cake, it was the best chocolate I have ever tasted, I think the brand was "Mula", it's made in England. Anyway, does anyone buy raw chocolate regularly or make it? And, if yes, which brands do you prefer?

[Veronica01]

i just add some to banana smoothies or make pudding, i dont think its worth my time stressing on making actual chocolate cuz that would require fats and oils.

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

i just add some to banana smoothies or make pudding, i dont think its worth my time stressing on making actual chocolate cuz that would require fats and oils.

Yeah, I made it using coconut oil, was too oily.. The one I bought had no il in it, it had cacoa butter/powder/agave/soya lecitin/bourbon vanilla/ etc.

Yeah I tried adding some of the chocolate powder to a banana smoothie.... didn't like it one bit, I love bananas, but not a fan of banana smoothies, I don't mind a banana in my smoothie, but if all it is is bananas and water, noooo:).

I don't worry about getting it, I was just wondering if anyone else really bothered with the raw choc. It's not something I've really been craving thankfully but it's nice to be able to have the option, if I chose to.

[circle]

i've had it before. did not like it. it's too processed anyway. it takes all the fun out of eating.

i love the feeling of peeling a fruit or cutting it open with a knife, and then the interesting shapes and smells, and the water contents. it's so... i don't know the word. it's very humbling and beautiful and even magical. like developing your own film by hand. everything is so unique. cannot replicate it and it will always be a one of a kind experience. not a cookie cutter replica.

i've had fresh cacao before, too. the fruit and the nibs. the fruit is delish! the nibs are meh.. i got addicted to them, and they made me crash. not good for me... they are a little bitter too. interesting little guys.

pre raw i practically lived off of chocolate and candy.

[RawKnitster]

Chocolate is an essential food group in my raw world.

I make something with cacao powder whenever I feel like it, and on special occassions.

I haven't tried the one you mentioned, but I have tried many raw cacao products, including Sacred Chocolate Hearts, Divine Organics Sacred Cacao, UliMana's Truffles, and Lulu's Raw Chocolate Alchemy. They were okay, but I wouldn't buy them again because none can compare to the fresh cacao confections I can make in my own kitchen. It is not that complicated.

Start with melted cacao butter and coconut butter. Add vanilla and cacao powder. Add raw agave syrup to taste. Pour into little paper candy cups or mini muffin tin lined with plastic wrap. Put in the fridge to set up. Use your imagination and add whatever you like. The possibilities are endless.

If you want something out of this world, try dipping strawberries in it!

[Veronica01]

Yeah, I made it using coconut oil, was too oily.. The one I bought had no il in it, it had cacoa butter/powder/agave/soya lecitin/bourbon vanilla/ etc.

Yeah I tried adding some of the chocolate powder to a banana smoothie.... didn't like it one bit, I love bananas, but not a fan of banana smoothies, I don't mind a banana in my smoothie, but if all it is is bananas and water, noooo:).

I don't worry about getting it, I was just wondering if anyone else really bothered with the raw choc. It's not something I've really been craving thankfully but it's nice to be able to have the option, if I chose to.

I dont like water as a base, i use almond milk and ripe bananas and some cocoa and its really good. have to be ripe or it tastes gross

[Zanjabil]

I can't do chocolate (because of the caffeine content, and GI issues), but I love it and crave it once a month or less. When I do I like to make raw brownies, cacao, date, nuts, and a splash of vanilla processed together..it's delicious. Sometimes I'll use coconuts instead of regular nuts.

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

I can't do chocolate (because of the caffeine content, and GI issues), but I love it and crave it once a month or less. When I do I like to make raw brownies, cacao, date, nuts, and a splash of vanilla processed together..it's delicious. Sometimes I'll use coconuts instead of regular nuts.

That sounds yummy:)!

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

I dont like water as a base, i use almond milk and ripe bananas and some cocoa and its really good. have to be ripe or it tastes gross

Nice idea, when I get my vitamix I will try making almond milk!

[Veronica01]

you will be in love i swear, it makes all the difference and i made icecream last night just from frozen ripe bananas and almond milk with no sweetner and it was amazing. I don't think a SAD eater would miss the fat at all, it was lightly creamy and fruity and that's all that matters. :) This is the first month ive made it, i've had my vitamix since the summer and just started playing with it now.

[rawpreston]

These are outstanding:

Raw chocolate cake in 10 minutes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7r4CNuj-o8) (walnuts, dates, cacao powder)

Raw "peanut butter cup" smoothie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oFwjqyO83E) (tahini, honey, cacao, banana, vanilla, ice) (I make half of this)

I also have made raw chocolates using cacao powder/butter and agave, and I also tried with cacao powder / coconut oil / honey. The proportions I use are 1/2 as many ounces of sweetener as ounces of the butter/oil, and twice as many tablespoons cacao powder as ounces of butter/oil. and a pinch of salt. I do think I like the cacao butter version better, that stuff is so fantastic, but harder to get and trickier to melt down. For molds I use these little metal tart tins I got from BB&B, and after filling them I stick them all in the freezer for an hour to finish them, they set up better that way and can be knocked out easier.

I just wish there was a verdict to the whole cacao thing, like is it super bad for the liver, or is it ok in moderation? For now I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Don't forget there's also carob powder! I put that on some raw granola and almond milk cereal that I made and it tasted great.

[Colorawdo girl]

Chocolate is a food group for me too. Just kidding. Its a treat but in moderation. It is so yummy and good for me. I make my own candy type things as well as no bake cookies. I love raw chocolate. I do not buy it as I make my own.

[klomasius]

I have it almost every day, in chocolate smoothies, in chocolate (made with coconut oil usually but also cacao butter, specially for easter eggs), in fudge, icecream, slices etc.

I have none of the negative effects some people have (or sadly, none of the fantastic positive effects others get, except for the enjoyment of the flavour). It's just another flavour in the repertoire.

[shakti17]

thanks for the recipes!

i do throw a few beans in my smoothies, or especially nut mylks for chocolate mylk!

what do y'all think of the cooked cocoa powder in recipes, as in the "raw food real world" book they ask for it in the choc. ganache. i made that pie last week.

[juliew]

OMG raw chocolate is the best treat ever!!
I just wanted to recommend Gnosis Chocolates. They can custom make a bar for you if you like it darker than the ones standardly offered. You can also put all kinds of super foods, essential oils, etc in it!! I don't have any affiliation with them in case you're wondering, just have had super good luck ordering their chocs. They ship them to me in Florida! Yummy...

[rayofsunshine]

Alissa's raw brownies from her on-line store would cure any chocolate attack. They are fantastic.