From cacao nib to drink: what shapes cacao flavour

A spoonful of cacao powder looks simple. Behind it are several choices: where the beans come from, how they are processed and whether the cacao is alkalised after roasting. These steps shape colour and flavour more clearly than a word such as “raw” on the front of a tub.

Origin and roasting

The beans for bunaroba Organic Cacao come from the Dominican Republic. The cacao is processed further and packed in Switzerland. During production, the cacao nibs are roasted. Roasting develops the full cacao aroma, so this is not a raw-food product.

The International Cocoa Organization describes how fermentation and drying already lay the foundations for aroma and colour before roasting. Origin and processing belong together. Even powder from the same beans can look and taste different depending on the later steps.

What “not alkalised” actually means

After roasting, cacao can also be treated with alkaline substances. This changes, among other things, the powder’s acidity and colour. A study of different alkalisation conditions shows that temperature, treatment time and the amount of alkali affect the result.

bunaroba skips this step for its cacao powder. According to the ingredient list, the tub contains 100% cacao powder, without acidity regulators. “Roasted” and “not alkalised” are therefore compatible: one describes flavour development through heat, the other the absence of a subsequent treatment.

How to use the powder

For a warm cup: Stir one or two teaspoons of cacao smooth with a little hot water or warm milk. Only then add the rest of the liquid. This helps avoid dry lumps. Sweeten to taste.

For baking: Check whether a recipe specifically calls for alkalised cacao powder. A non-alkalised powder can give a different colour and flavour. With a new recipe, a small trial batch helps before you bake a large quantity.

With bunaroba Cacao, you get a roasted, non-alkalised powder made from one ingredient. From there, the liquid, sweetness and recipe determine what you make of it.