Cacao or Cocoa Powder - is there a difference?

Short answer, YES.

Now, here’s your long answer…

The only thing that’s similar with cacao and cocoa is that both begin with raw cacao beans

The bean is then either treated with high heat to make cocoa or left raw + dried at low temps to make cacao. Because of the high temperatures applied to make cocoa, some of the inherent nutrients can be altered.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cocoa will sometimes have added fillers, sugar or milk fat added back into the final product - so read your labels!

CACAO is made by cold pressing un-roasted cacao beans + applying low heat, which retains all of the active enzymes + nutrients. These Include magnesium, iron and antioxidants. This is where you get the “health benefits” that are touted with chocolate

If you want the most pure, raw form, look for cacao. Remember it this way: there’s two a’s instead of one and the a’s are close together.

The best cacao powder I’ve found is from Trader Joes. You’ll also find it at Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and more frequently in your neighborhood grocery, but I’ve found Trader Joe’s has the best price, by far!