We all love chocolate, but just make sure that you reach for the right kind. Thankfully, mother nature has blessed us with cacao. Cacao comes from the seed of an Amazonian fruit tree and is considered one of the highest–if not the highest–antioxidant foods on the planet. It’s full of magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium and is also extremely high in anandamide (aka the “bliss chemical”). This superfood also contains plant-based protein, good fats & healthy carbs, and can improve cardiovascular health, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, and can elevate your mood. If you remember from my newsletter, sugar decreases your sex drive. What’s not to love?!

The cacao bean provides the chocolate that we want in a variety of ways. One of them is cacao nibs. Cacao nibs have a rich, intense, and bitter taste but it does not have that sweet flavor. If you don’t know where to get the nibs, here is a link.

Nutritional Benefits 

1oz of Cocoa Nibs/ Cacao 

Calories: 168

Fat: 12g / 18% DV

Protein: 2g

Carbohydrates: 13g / 4% DV

Fiber: 3g / 12% DV

Iron: 3.3mg / 19% DV

Magnesium: 63.8mg / 16% DV

Copper: 0.5mg / 25% DV

Manganese: 0.5mg / 27% DV

Caffeine: 22.4mg

Here are some ways to enjoy cacao nibs.

(Adapted from Amazing Wellness Magazine)

Candy

Grind cacao nibs in a coffee grinder; melt honey and coconut oil in a small saucepan, and then stir in both ground and whole cacao nibs. Add walnuts; stir to coat, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool and then break into large pieces.

Smoothie

In a blender, combine almond milk, coffee, cacao nubs, chia seeds, and a frozen banana; purée until think and creamy.

Mole Sauce

Mix dried chipotle powder, coriander, cinnamon, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and a pinch of ground clove with ground cacao nibs. Add sesame seeds, olive oil, and tomato sauce, and simmer until thick for a rich mole sauce.

Pancakes

Stir whole and ground cacao nibs and minced pecans into pancakes batter; cook, and top with cacao nibs and maple syrup.

Dessert

Combine coconut milk, vanilla extract, raw honey, cacao nibs, and cornstarch in a small saucepan, and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Pour mixture into small cups or ramekins and chill until firm. Sprinkle with cacao nibs before serving.