Chocolate
What Is Chocolate?
Chocolate, everyone’s favourite decadent treat, is made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels. Cacao is the Spanish word for "chcahuatl,” which is what the Aztecs called cacao beans. Though the Mayans and Aztecs are often credited with discovering chocolate, cacao dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Mesoamerica, present-day Mexico. Read more >-
Naturally sweetened for a healthy and delicious hot chocolate. Designed to satisfy even the biggest chocoholics! ANS Performance Keto Cocoa Powder is perfect for an instant hot chocolate, smoothie additive, or added to your morning coffee for a rich mocha experience. Keto Cocoa Powder is gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, vegan friendly & crafted with organic naturally sourced ingredients wit...
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Giddy Yo Cacao Butter is made from the highly prized Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional varietal (aka cacao Arriba, or cacao Nacional). Arriba is a fine flavoured bean with fruity and floral notes, and unique to Ecuador. Certified organic, Rainforest Alliance certified, common allergen-free, non GMO, naturally vegan and delicious, the beans are hand-selected, fermented and dried to perfection, then lig...
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Soothe, nourish and protect skin from damage with NOW Solutions Cocoa Butter Lotion. Cocoa Butter Lotion formulated with 6% Cocoa Butter and Rhodiola Extract to aid in protecting the skin from stress. Aloe Vera and Allantoin naturally soothe irritated skin while stimulating cell regeneration. Almond Oil and Lecithin act as emollients, helping draw and keep moisture in the skin. Apply a liberal ...
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For skin, hair and scalp in need of a conditioning moisturizer. turn to NOW Solutions Natural Coconut Oil. This unique oil goes on smooth to leave skin feeling silky and refreshed. It also serves as a natural alternative to chemically formulated commercial moisturizers, oils and scalp conditioners. NOW® Natural Coconut Oil is made by mechanical extraction of the coconut fruit and then deodorize...
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ORGANIC AND GELATINIZED FOR EASY DIGESTIBILITYOrganika's Maca + Cacao powder is made exclusively from the yellow Maca root, most used by Peruvians in daily life while the cacao bean is grown on a tree native to Central America. Gelatinization breaks down the starch molecules, creating a starch-free powder. This makes it more soluble than regular powders, and thus easier to digest, great for tho...
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CACAO (CHOCOLATE) IS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS Cacao beans were so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they were used as money! Cacao beans contain 12-50% fat depending on the variety and growing conditions, and no sugar. Our cacao beans have about 40% fat content, low compared to other nuts. There is no known evidence linking cacao bean consumption with obesity. Cacao is an incredibly rich sour...
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CACAO (CHOCOLATE) IS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS Cacao beans were so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they were used as money! Cacao beans contain 12-50% fat depending on the variety and growing conditions, and no sugar. Our cacao beans have about 40% fat content, low compared to other nuts. There is no known evidence linking cacao bean consumption with obesity. Cacao is an incredibly rich sourc...
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USE IN SMOOTHIES, CACAO & MACA DRINKS, AND DESSERTS & CHOCOLATES! Cacao was once so revered by the Mayans and the Aztecs that it was used as currency. Obtained from the whole cacao bean, cacao butter is a nourishing, edible oil containing healthy fats along with a host of antioxidants. Organic Traditions Cacao butter is obtained by pressing the beans at low temperature, thereby separating the ...
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USE IN SMOOTHIES, CACAO & MACA DRINKS, AND DESSERTS & CHOCOLATES! Cacao was once so revered by the Mayans and the Aztecs that it was used as currency. Obtained from the whole cacao bean, cacao butter is a nourishing, edible oil containing healthy fats along with a host of antioxidants. Organic Traditions Cacao butter is obtained by pressing the beans at low temperature, thereby separating the ...
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YOU'LL GO NUTS FOR THESE DARK CHOCOLATE HAZELNUTS FROM ORGANIC TRADITIONS! Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts combine two delicious foods into a healthy and nutritious snack. Chocolate was once so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that it was used as currency. Certified Organic hazelnuts and 70% dark chocolate are lightly dusted cocoa powder. They are non-irradiated, sustainably grown and harvested and a...
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Satisfy your sweet tooth with Cravings by Peruvian Harvest. These Yacon Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs are ideal for those on carb-conscious diets and individuals with diabetes or prediabetic. Yacon root contain an indigestible sugar, which means that although they have a sweet flavor, the roots contain fewer calories than would be expected. Naturally sweetened with yacon powder. No added sugars,...
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CACAO POWER RAW CACAO POWDER FROM NAVITAS NATURALS Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder brings the Chocolate Factory to your kitchen, as it instantly transforms smoothies, desserts, pies, and countless other recipes into the healthiest chocolate indulgence around. Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder is an exceptionally healthy way to stock up on antioxidants and important minerals like magnesium and iron. ...
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CACAO POWDER IS A GREAT SOURCE OF FIBRE Cacao is an incredibly rich source of magnesium, with more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine or green tea, and phytochemicals like theobromine and anandamine that boost your mood and energy. Cacao beans were so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they were used as money! Cacao beans contain 12-50% fat depending on the variety and growing conditions...
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CACAO POWDER IS A GREAT SOURCE OF FIBRE Cacao is an incredibly rich source of magnesium, with more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine or green tea, and phytochemicals like theobromine and anandamine that boost your mood and energy. Cacao beans were so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that they were used as money! Cacao beans contain 12-50% fat depending on the variety and growing conditions...
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YOU'LL GO NUTS FOR THESE! Organic Traditions Dark Chocolate Almonds make a delicious snack! Chop or grind them to use as a garnish on yogurt or berries. Incorporate them into your baking recipe. For a creamy, chocolate drink combine a handful of Organic Traditions Dark Chocolate Almonds, 1-2 teaspoons of Oragnic Traditons Cacao Nibs, 1-2 Tablespoons of Orgnic Traditions shredded coconut and 1-...
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YOU'LL GO NUTS FOR THESE!! Organic Traditions Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds with Chili combine two delicious foods into a healthy and nutritious snack. Chocolate was once so revered by the Mayans and the Aztecs that it was used as currency. Almonds have had a long history of being a nourishing superfood for many cultures. Certified Organic almonds and 70% dark chocolate are lightly dusted in ...
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ENJOY A DELICIOUS SNACK AND BOOST YOUR BODY'S NATURAL HEALING ABILITIES! Organic Manuka Honey Truffle Bars from Eco Ideas are created with handmade chocolate and Manuka Honey. Scientific research is showing that honey could assist with natural healing and that Active Manuka Honey has even greater healing qualities because of its enhanced antibacterial potency. Made with all organic ingredient...
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ENJOY A DELICIOUS SNACK AND BOOST YOUR BODY'S NATURAL HEALING ABILITIES! Organic Manuka Honey Truffle Bars from Eco Ideas are created with handmade chocolate and Manuka Honey. Scientific research is showing that honey could assist with natural healing and that Active Manuka Honey has even greater healing qualities because of its enhanced antibacterial potency. Made with all organic ingredient...
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ENJOY A DELICIOUS SNACK AND BOOST YOUR BODY'S NATURAL HEALING ABILITIES! Organic Manuka Honey Truffle Bars from Eco Ideas are created with handmade chocolate and Manuka Honey. Scientific research is showing that honey could assist with natural healing and that Active Manuka Honey has even greater healing qualities because of its enhanced antibacterial potency. Made with all organic ingredients,...
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ENJOY A DELICIOUS SNACK AND BOOST YOUR BODY'S NATURAL HEALING ABILITIES! Organic Manuka Honey Truffle Bars from Eco Ideas are created with handmade chocolate and Manuka Honey. Scientific research is showing that honey could assist with natural healing and that Active Manuka Honey has even greater healing qualities because of its enhanced antibacterial potency. Made with all organic ingredients...
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Discovering Chocolate: More Than Just a Sweet Treat
Chocolate, everyone’s favourite decadent treat, is made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels. Cacao is the Spanish word for "chcahuatl,” which is what the Aztecs called cacao beans. Though the Mayans and Aztecs are often credited with discovering chocolate, cacao dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Mesoamerica, present-day Mexico. It’s here that the cacao plant was first found by ancient civilizations, who used it as a drink in rituals and as medicine. Centuries later, the Mayans would go on to praise chocolate as the “drink of the gods"—a beverage they made from roasted and ground cacao seeds mixed with chillies, water, and cornmeal. Keep reading to learn the history of cacao and the origins of chocolate brands in Canada.
The main chocolate ingredient when making chocolate is a multiple-step process that begins with the cacao bean. Because the cacao tree seeds are naturally bitter, they must first be fermented to develop their flavour. Once fermentation is complete, the beans are dried, cleaned, and finally roasted. The cacao bean shell is then removed, producing what we call cacao nibs, which will either be ground to make liquid cacao mass (chocolate liquor) or pure chocolate. Chocolate liquor is then used to produce cacao solids or cacao butter, which may be combined with other components to create a variety of confection chocolates.
Exploring the Rich Varieties of Premium Chocolate
Chocolate brands in Canada utilize many different types of chocolate, including these types. The Theobroma Cacao tree yields four distinct varieties, each offering a unique flavour profile and notes. These are:
- Criollo, or “Prince of cacaos, " is rare and grown primarily in Central America and the Caribbean. Criollo beans produce very high-quality cacao.
- Forastero is one of the most common cacaos on the market and comes from the Forastero tree in Brazil and Africa. It has an intense chocolate taste.
- Nacional comes mainly from South America west of the Andes. It has an excellent aroma but is a lot more tricky to cultivate.
- Trinitario is a cross between Criollo and Forastero trees that originated in Trinidad (hence its name). It has smooth pods and flavorful beans and is easy to cultivate.
The Diverse Flavour Profiles of Quality Chocolate
Chocolate brands in Canada offer an incredibly wide range of nuanced flavour notes that can be divided into four broad categories. These are:
- Herbal/Spicy: capsicum, cinnamon, dried leaves, jasmine, geranium, citrus, honey, etc.
- Fruity: cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, physalis, melon, guanabana, lychee, banana, plum, etc.
- Vegetal: woody, grassy, loamy, olive, coffee, coconut, dairy, rum, etc.
- Dark Sweet: molasses, dark sugars, mulberries, prunes, raisins, wine, etc.
According to experts, the most desirable flavour profiles in cacao and chocolate feature a balance of astringency and bitterness, along with delicate fruity, floral, spicy, herbal, nutty, or caramel/malty/candied notes. Beyond these, however, exquisitely crafted chocolate has a far more complex ingredient and sensory experience. It offers a range of diverse tastes, aromas, and textures, from delicate floral notes to a creamy mouthfeel.
Choosing the Best Chocolate Brands in Canada: A Buyer's Guide
If you are looking for the best chocolate experience when shopping chocolate brands in Canada, look for products with high cacao content that feature 100% certified organic chocolate that comes from sustainably harvested cacao, ideally from organic cultivations of farming cooperatives. Also, make sure to select products that are low in sugar and avoid artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and any other artificial ingredients.
Choosing high cacao-content chocolate also provides you with a solid dose of powerful antioxidants for overall health and wellness.
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