Healthy Homemade Chocolate

When you typically think about chocolate, “healthy” and “dairy-free” probably aren’t the first words to come to mind. Today’s healthy homemade chocolate recipe is proof that it’s possible — without sacrificing taste.

We mostly associate chocolate with indulgent confections and decadent desserts. While chocolate is indeed a popular treat, many are surprised to know that it has historically been consumed for its ability to heal.

Chocolate is created from the Theobroma cacao tree, and humans have been consuming food made from cacao beans since 460 AD. Research shows that cacao and chocolate were used as remedies for other medicines in Mesoamerica, a practice that travelled to Europe in the mid 16th century. Since then, hundreds of medical uses for cacao and chocolate have been documented.

What is raw cacao?

The studies that boast of chocolate’s amazing health benefits are not referring to your average store-bought chocolate bar, which likely contains high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, and artificial flavorings and preservatives. The chocolate that they’re referring to is raw cacao.

Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing un-roasted cacao beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cacao and removes the fat (cacao butter).

Cocoa, on the other hand, is the term used to refer to raw cacao that has been heated at high temperatures. This is the stuff that you likely grew up purchasing, and while it does have health benefits, the heat reduces the enzyme content and decreases the overall nutritional value of the powder.

What are the health benefits of raw cacao?

Plant-based source of iron.

Cacao, at its origin, has one of the highest sources of iron in the plant kingdom. It contains 7.3mg of iron per 100 grams. To aid iron absorption, pair cacao with foods that are rich in Vitamin C.

High in magnesium.

Raw cacao is also abundant in magnesium , which has hundreds of functions in the human body. Magnesium helps support glutathione production, relax muscles, improve brain function and also assists in metabolizing glucose. It’s little surprise cacao is one of the preferred treats of many athletes!

Promotes mood regulation and focus.

Raw cacao aids in mood regulation and promotes focus by influencing neurotransmitter function. The mighty cacao bean contains phenylethylamine (also known as PEA), an adrenal-related chemical that’s naturally produced when we get excited and improves mood and focus.

Boosts cognitive function.

Recent studies show that regular consumption of cacao can help to boost cognitive function , improve metabolism, and control blood pressure in elderly patients. These benefits are believed to have happened due to the naturally high flavonol content of cacao. Flavonols are active antioxidants and are extremely powerful fighters of damage caused by free radicals.

Unfortunately, processing, storage and preparation of many chocolates can greatly lessen all of these benefits, including iron, magnesium and flavonol content. That’s why we’ve got a healthy homemade chocolate recipe by Elisa Haggarty to satisfy your sweet tooth and give you all the healing benefits that chocolate has to offer.

Healthy homemade chocolate recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup and 1 tablespoon melted Cacao Butter by Navitas Organics

• 1 cups raw cacao powder by Navitas Naturals (be sure to sift the cacao so it doesn’t have any clumps)

• 1 tbs raw honey

• 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extra or one bean

• 3 tablespoons tahini

• Optional: monkfruit sweetener, sea salt

Directions

1. Chop the cacao butter and melt in a large bowl that sits on top of a pot with hot water, or use a double boiler style.

1. Fold in the sifted cacao powder and stir well. Remove the bowl from the heat.

1. Add in cinnamon, raw honey, sea salt and vanilla. Stir well.

1. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of tahini. Don’t over mix, just stir a few times.

1. Pour the chocolate mixture into silicone ice cube trays or Polycarbonate Candy Molds (Amazon.)

1. For the large candy bar shaped trays, take the remaining tablespoons of tahini and mix it in so it sits on top of the mixture.

1. Optionally, sprinkle with monkfruit sweetener and sea salt.

1. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

1. Enjoy!