For many, cacao is synonymous with chocolate desserts and indulgence. However, cacao is not just a tasty treat but it also has a lot of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and magnesium, cacao can boost mood and enhance overall well-being.
We will share some interesting ways of using cacao, and prepare some tasty treats to benefit from this natural treasure of wellness. If you’re a cacao enthusiast seeking creative ways to incorporate this superfood into your daily meals, you’ve come to the right place!
10 Amazing Ways to Use Cacao
1. Smoothie or Smoothie Bowls:
Ingredients:
1. 1 tablespoon cacao powder
2. 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
3. 1 cup coconut water
4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
Process:
To make this delicious cacao morning smoothie:
1. Start by combining the cacao powder, cacao nibs, coconut water, vanilla extract, and instant coffee powder in a blender.
2. Blend the ingredients on high until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
3. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, feel free to add a sweetener of your choice. Once blended, pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy the rich, energizing flavors.
2. Cacao Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
1. Rolled oats
2. Oat milk
3. Medjool dates (for homemade caramel)
4. Cacao powder
5. Instant coffee
6. Chia seeds
7. Vanilla extract
Process:
Mix all ingredients in a 16-ounce jar with a lid, ensuring everything is well mixed. It’s important to thoroughly incorporate the ingredients, ensuring all the chia seeds are submerged in the liquid for optimal absorption. Once everything is blended, securely cover the jar with an airtight lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least six hours, preferably overnight, to allow the oats to soften and the flavors to meld.
3. Fat Bombs:
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup nuts
2. 1 cup dried fruits (like dates, apricots, or figs)
3. 2 tablespoons cacao powder
4. 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
5. Optional: a pinch of sea salt or sweetener of choice (like honey or maple syrup)
Process:
Add the nuts and dried fruits to a food processor. Blend until the mixture becomes sticky, making sure the nuts are finely chopped. Incorporate the cacao powder and melted coconut oil, blending until everything is well combined. Add a pinch of sea salt or a sweetener to enhance the flavor, if desired. Once the mixture is ready, form it into bite-sized balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Vegan Superfood Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients:
1. Quinoa flakes,
2. Nut Butter,
3. Golden Linseed
4. Pumpkin seeds
5. Chia seeds
6. Coconut flakes
Process
Cook the quinoa and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Gradually pour in water, starting with 500 ml and slowly increasing so that all the ingredients absorb the water. Wait a few minutes after each addition for ingredients like chia seeds to fully soak up the liquid. Create a thick, porridge-like consistency. When serving, you can adjust the texture by adding hot water.
5. Paleo Double Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients:
1. Bananas
2. Butter
3. Eggs
4. Almond flour
5. Tapioca flour
6. Cacao powder
7. Baking soda
8. Chocolate chips
Process:
1. Mash the banana, then add the remaining wet ingredients into the mixture.
2. Mix in the dry ingredients until well combined.
3. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread is set in the center and a knife inserted into the middle comes out with moist crumbs.
5. Once baked, allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan.
6. Chocolate Milk Shake
Ingredients:
1. Milk, full cream.
2. Cacao powder
3. Sugar, maple syrup or honey
4. Ice
Process:
Add milk, a teaspoonful of cacao powder, and sugar to a blender. Let the mixture blend for a minute at intervals. Add ice to the blender and mix well to create a thick, slushy milkshake. You can transfer it to a glass and garnish it with cacao powder sprinkled on top.
7. Luxurious Home Facial
Users can benefit from the health benefits of cacao and improve their skin condition. Add cacao powder to your face mask to see a healthy glow. Cacao powder removes impurities and evens skin tone, making users look fresh and younger. While consuming cacao powder orally can work wonders, applying it to your face and neck can cleanse, and leave your skin looking better.
8. Rubbing the cacao powder on a meat
Besides delicious recipes, you can use cacao to hack any kitchen task in amazing ways. The trick for having more delicious and roasted meat is rubbing cacao and olive oil on the meat. The flavonoids in cacao will integrate the taste of meat while also having a tenderizing effect.
9. Pour the cacao powder before baking
If you are on a diet and are looking for a tastier and healthier way to make baked treats, use cacao powder. One of the flour alternatives people like is cacao powder because you can dust it on the pan before making a brownie or dessert instead of flour.
10. Cacao as a Moisturizer
One of the amazing ways to incorporate cacao powder into your routine is by using it as a moisturizer and face mask for soft, radiant skin. To create a nourishing face mask with cacao powder, simply mix one teaspoon of cacao powder with two teaspoons of honey. Apply the mixture to your skin and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, rinse your face with warm water to reveal a fresh, hydrated complexion.
Buy Cacao Powder From B Zen Botanicals
B Zen Botanicals is the perfect place for all cacao purchases. They offer fresh, organic, and all-natural cacao powder and nibs. The shop claims a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and their customers agree with their quality. You can enjoy free shipping on all orders, and the secure packaging will be a pleasant feature as it ensures freshness.
BZB offers lab-tested products. If you need to contact the shop, their friendly customer service will make you want to become a regular customer. B Zen Botanicals shop is your last resort because their farm-direct sourcing and competitive prices make them a unique vendor in the market.