Cocoa powder

Cocoa powder is made from cocoa beans. After all the cocoa butter is removed leaving only the cocoa solids, it is then made into a powder. It’s usually sold unsweetened. Cocoa powder can be sold nowadays either sweetened and unsweetened and its primary use is for baking.

Cocoa powder is usually used in baking. You will find it in recipes for cakes, brownies and cookies.

When converting cocoa powder from cups to grams 1 cup is equal to 100g.

Origins of cocoa powder

The Mayans were the first people to use cocoa. They made it into a drink by mixing the crushed beans with water and chilli peppers. It had a really bitter taste, the name ‘chocolate’ may even come from the Mayan word ‘xocolatl’ which means ‘bitter water.’ sugar was added when it was introduced to Europe.

Cocoa powder nutrition

Unprocessed, organic cocoa powder has been proven to come with quite a few health benefits and may actually be quite good for you! Cocoa contains high levels of protein, potassium, iron, fibre and magnesium. It also has decent levels of calcium, vitamin B6 and it is also a surprisingly good source of dietary fibre. Not only that but pure cocoa powder is gluten free and dairy free.

Whatsmore you can easily add it to your diet by getting creative! Try adding it to smoothies, porage and drinking it in hot chocolate!

There are usually about 228 calories per 100g of cocoa powder.