By Theyo Team
They are no longer only available in smaller organic shops, but also at Rewe or Edeka on the corner. Cacao nibs are considered super healthy, all-rounders and 'superfood'. Of course, chocolate fans quickly ask themselves: are they healthier than chocolate?
In a previous post, we explained what cacao nibs are, how they are produced and how they can be processed. In a nutshell, cacao nibs are crushed cacao beans that have a chocolaty, slightly tart flavor. You can eat them 'raw' and roasted. It always starts with the cocoa bean: it is harvested, dried, fermented and finally the beans are crushed into nibs.
How the cacao nibs taste basically depends on three factors : the variety , thefermentation process and the roasting . Depending on the variety, the type of cultivation and the fermentation - also called 'terroir' among chocolate connoisseurs - the cocoa beans can develop very different aromas. While many mass-cultivated varieties (often from Africa) taste primarily bitter, cocoa beans or cocoa nibs from South America, for example, are much more fruity. Depending on the intensity of the roasting, the aroma of the nibs can ideally be refined. In the worst case, however, the roasting leads to strong roasted aromas, which can mask all other aromas.
What are nibs made of? ©Unsplash
Since cacao nibs are processed cacao beans - they only consist of pure beans - they are definitely a very healthy snack. Both caramelized (you can find it here ) and pure (you can find it here ) nibs are usually healthier than chocolate. Here, of course, it mainly depends on which chocolate you compare the nibs with. Very dark chocolate - like this great 100% chocolate from Akesson's - is at least as healthy as cacao nibs. However, if you compare the nibs with milk chocolate or even white chocolate, then it is more like a comparison between apples and pears. In this case, of course, the cocoa nibs fare much better in terms of health.
Admittedly, with almost 600 kilocalories per 100 grams, cocoa nibs are not slimming at first glance.
1 00 grams contain approximately
Cocoa nibs are made from cocoa beans ©Unsplash
Are you really interested in cocoa beans?
If you are just as interested in "all things cacao" as we are, we have a suggestion: how about your next team event being a chocolate tasting ? Or the next care package as anemployee gift, a chocolate box ? For more information you can simply write to us using the contact form.
What exactly are cacao nibs and what do they taste like?
In a previous post, we explained what cacao nibs are, how they are produced and how they can be processed. In a nutshell, cacao nibs are crushed cacao beans that have a chocolaty, slightly tart flavor. You can eat them 'raw' and roasted. It always starts with the cocoa bean: it is harvested, dried, fermented and finally the beans are crushed into nibs.
How the cacao nibs taste basically depends on three factors : the variety , thefermentation process and the roasting . Depending on the variety, the type of cultivation and the fermentation - also called 'terroir' among chocolate connoisseurs - the cocoa beans can develop very different aromas. While many mass-cultivated varieties (often from Africa) taste primarily bitter, cocoa beans or cocoa nibs from South America, for example, are much more fruity. Depending on the intensity of the roasting, the aroma of the nibs can ideally be refined. In the worst case, however, the roasting leads to strong roasted aromas, which can mask all other aromas.
What are nibs made of? ©UnsplashAre cacao nibs healthy?
Since cacao nibs are processed cacao beans - they only consist of pure beans - they are definitely a very healthy snack. Both caramelized (you can find it here ) and pure (you can find it here ) nibs are usually healthier than chocolate. Here, of course, it mainly depends on which chocolate you compare the nibs with. Very dark chocolate - like this great 100% chocolate from Akesson's - is at least as healthy as cacao nibs. However, if you compare the nibs with milk chocolate or even white chocolate, then it is more like a comparison between apples and pears. In this case, of course, the cocoa nibs fare much better in terms of health.
Cacao Nibs and the K-Word: How Many Calories Do They Have?
Admittedly, with almost 600 kilocalories per 100 grams, cocoa nibs are not slimming at first glance.
1 00 grams contain approximately
- 600 calories
- 12 grams of protein
- 14 grams of fat
- Magnesium : Cacao nibs are packed with magnesium. Few foods contain as much magnesium as they do: 100 grams of cacao nibs contain a whopping 450 mg of magnesium. Magnesium supplies the brain and muscles with energy, regulates metabolism and blood pressure and is considered to strengthen the bones.
- Calcium : Cacao nibs contain more calcium than milk - a whopping 160 mg per 100 grams. Calcium is important for teeth and bones, as well as muscle contraction.
- Fiber : Cacao nibs contain more fiber than, for example, whole wheat bread or oatmeal. These are proven to be good for digestion.
- Theobromine : Theobromines are alkaloids - ie complex organic compounds - which have a stimulating effect. According to studies, it can have a soothing effect on coughing fits (e.g. Usmani, 2004). But beware: while theobromine's effects are considered beneficial in humans, it is harmful to dogs. So please don't crumble when dogs are around.
Cocoa nibs are made from cocoa beans ©UnsplashYou want to treat yourself to the healthy cocoa nibs?
No problem! We have prepared something there :). And in contrast to some bitter supermarket nibs, we have wonderfully tasty and mild nibs from Ecuador. The Bio Arriba Nacional Nibs have been gently roasted, caramelized a little and are simply delicious. And not only that: they are also traded fairly and directly. 
One of the best cocoa varieties - Arriba Nacional - comes from Ecuador ©Unsplash
Are you really interested in cocoa beans?
If you are just as interested in "all things cacao" as we are, we have a suggestion: how about your next team event being a chocolate tasting ? Or the next care package as anemployee gift, a chocolate box ? For more information you can simply write to us using the contact form.
