Raw Cacao Chocolates

I make these chocolates far too frequently, I make them if you come to one of my essential oil classes, I often make them as a gift and I indulge when I have that chocolate urge.  I’ve always been a chocoholic but these days I’m very fussy about the type of chocolate that I eat.  Processed chocolate that you eat in the shops tastes nothing like unprocessed, pure cacao nor does it offer any of the same health benefits (see below). You can also remove the guilt by not eating the ton of sugar in regular chocolate and instead opt for healthier alternatives like maple syrup, raw honey or a little coconut sugar (make sure you grind it first to a fine powder or your cacao will be gritty).

I always get compliments about this chocolate but the real secret is in the essential oils I use, not only do they offer an intense flavour but they also support your health too. Peppermint helps support digestive health and can enhance focus and concentration. Wild orange can help to improve your mood and boost your immune system.  Please don’t use oils that do not clearly state they are for internal use so if you don’t have any, then consider adding a little grated ginger or some orange juice with a little of the grated rind, you could even try a sprinkling of cinnamon.

If you don’t have molds, you could even turn it into a chocolate slab like this one

Reasons to eat pure cacao:

• It is one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium (70% of the population is deficient and it is required for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body), in fact if you are strongly craving  dark chocolate it can be a sign you are magnesium deficient.
• Studies have shown that it is higher in antioxidants than blueberries and Acai.
• It has been shown to protect the skin against sun damage because the flavanols increase skin density and hydration.
• Epicatechin the flavanol which gives cacao the bitter flavour (incidentally removed from commercial chocolate) has been linked to improving insulin sensitivity and potentially preventing cardiovascular disease.
• It’s been linked to reduced rates of coronary heart disease.
• It is a prebiotic so it has been shown to feed your good bacteria in your gut microbiome, which is shown to be the key to immunity.

Do we need any more reasons?  Just choose your cacao wisely!