Cacao Butter has a low melting point, somewhere between 32 and 35°C (89.6 and 95°F), which accounts for its characteristically soft and creamy texture—an attribute that makes cacao butter appealing for use in food and cosmetic products alike.

Typically, 100g of beans produces 40g of fat. Due to the extremely stable nature of cacao butter, it is easy to store with little danger of rancidity. Picking of the fruit occurs year-round and is still done by hand today.

The pods are sliced down from the trees with machetes and are cracked open to allow the removal of the cacao seeds. These are then placed in fermentation boxes for three to four days—a process that is essential for the chemical composition of the beans and the development of their renowned chocolate flavor. The seeds are then sun-dried on large trays or on the ground, losing much of their moisture and deepening to a reddish-brown color. At this stage the beans are called raw cacao.

Ecuadorian cacao butter is a delicious and healthier way to enjoy chocolate’s great taste without any unwanted sugars or additives. Largely made up of cholesterol-neutral fatty acids, it’s perfect eaten on its own; for your skin, it can be mixed with our cacao essential oil.

Try applying some onto your skin as a luxurious and nourishing moisturizer. Cacao butter has been widely used to reduce or prevent stretch marks. There is no substantial clinical evidence that it really works but the butter provides deep hydration to keep our skin supple and moist, which in turn can prevent or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It has been noted to help with sensitive skin problems such as irritation, eczema and dermatitis.

A single cacao bean contains 54 percent fat (that’s the cacao butter), 31 percent carbohydrates (mainly fiber with a tiny amount of sugar), 11 percent protein (including arginine, glutamine and leucine), 3 percent polyphenols (flavonols and proanthocyanidins) and less than 1 percent trace minerals including magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.

Historically, cocoa performed a number of medical roles, treating conditions from smallpox and yellow fever to cholera and snakebites. Today we know flavonols found in our cacao can increase nitric oxide bioavailability, activate nitric oxide synthase, and exert anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activity—all of which can improve vascular function and reduce blood pressure. Cacao has been studied for its ability to reduce blood pressure and has been shown to produce “a small but statistically significant effect in lowering blood pressure by 2–3mm Hg in the short term.” (Schardt, 2013)

Uplifting, Joyful Energy!

Eating cacao makes you happy! It contains phenylethylamine which controls pleasure and the feelings you get when you are in love. It also acts as a stimulant and can improve mental alertness. Cacao also contains serotonin and dopamine—which also stimulate good moods and “pleasure” feelings.

Anandamide (the “Bliss Molecule”) is also found in cacao. It is present in the brain as an endogenous substance and interacts with cannabinoid receptors. Cacao also contains great levels of magnesium, which is an essential mineral during times of stress, and helps you to feel more relaxed. It also contains manganese, zinc, calcium, and potassium.

Morning Ritual

By now, it’s pretty much standard practice to put a big ol’ scoop of coconut butter in our morning potions. Call it a plant-based version of the equally-loved Bulletproof-style coffee, which typically features some combination of grass-fed ghee, coconut oil, butter and/or MCT oil. Adding a dose of healthy fat to your morning coffee, matcha or smoothie is a great way to give your brain a boost first thing in the morning—and keep it going until lunch. But what about raw cacao butter? More recently marketed as a superfood, raw cacao butter is a healthy fat we should be keeping on our radar. Typically used in baking or in beauty DIYs, raw cacao butter is finally getting some recognition as the powerful food it really is.

What are the benefits?

Is there a difference between raw cacao butter and cocoa butter? Surprisingly, yes—a rather large one. Raw cacao butter is superior to cocoa butter because it hasn’t been treated with high heat, which destroys vital nutrients, so it remains a plant. Raw cacao butter is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and essential fatty acids, which could have a positive effect on immune function, have anti-inflammatory effects, and support heart health.

How do I use raw cacao butter?

While you may first think of putting cacao butter on your skin, like cocoa butter, in fact it’s a super nourishing addition to recipes—it’s what gives high-quality chocolate its luxurious texture. Cacao butter can be used in a variety of recipes, including raw desserts and baked goods, and can be mixed with cacao powder in homemade chocolate recipes. Additionally, cacao butter can be added to hot drinks in place of coconut oil or coconut butter to add a creamy texture and a good dose of healthy fats. Of course, it’s also a gorgeous addition to DIY beauty recipes as well. Try using it in place of cocoa butter in at-home recipes for body butter and moisturizing bars.

We think of our Cacao as a plant medicine. As with any potent medicine, it is important to be mindful in its use.

In most cases, there are no concerns to be aware of. The points listed below are mainly a concern when you take higher doses, as is done when the Cacao is used ceremonially. In these cases, the combination of potent cacao and a higher dose warrants some additional mindfulness.

First, if you are working with it ceremonially, we recommend that you start off with about half the full dose. A full dose, the maximum we use, is two ounces, so that means starting off with one ounce. See how it feels and wait at least thirty minutes before consuming more.

Cacao is a strong bitter and stimulant, so there are some potential side effects to be aware of, as well as certain contra-indications. Since cacao is consumed in higher doses in ceremony, people might experience symptoms such as light-headedness, sweaty palms, headache, or nausea. Simply slow down, drink water, and practice self-care as needed until symptoms subside. Cacao can also stimulate detox symptoms in some cases. If this happens, take it as a blessing and drink plenty of water as your body lets go of whatever it didn’t like. This will likely be accentuated for people on a raw diet or who are fasting. Go with lower doses in this case.

Certain antidepressants are worth extra consideration. MAOI-based antidepressants are contraindicated with the tyramine in chocolate, so a larger dose of cacao is not recommended. MAOI-based antidepressants are first-generation antidepressants and are less common these days. People taking them are on a restricted diet that includes limiting or avoiding chocolate, so they should know if they can consume or not. Side effects could include more serious headache and nausea, so make sure to check medications first.

Additionally, there has been some concern with larger doses of cacao and SSRI type antidepressants because of the MAOIs in cacao. Specifically, tryptophan, a type of MAOI that is a precursor to serotonin, has been cited by some as a possible contraindication. The research about this interaction is minimal, but studies on both the amounts of tryptophan in chocolate and how that might cause “serotonin syndrome” don't indicate any problem. However, to be on the safe side, for those on SSRIs, we suggest consulting with your doctor and/or pharmacist regarding higher doses of cacao and to consider starting with low doses.

If you have a serious heart condition: The theobromine in cacao increases heart rate significantly and is a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure. If you have such a condition, consider consulting a physician and certainly go lighter on amounts.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding: The theobromine in cacao, which is very similar to caffeine, has a stimulating effect. Thus, we recommend using lower dosages (e.g., a maximum of one ounce in a ceremonial drink).

Pure cacao can be fatal to dogs (and possibly horses and parrots), so be sure to keep it away from pets.

If any symptoms do present, drink lots of water, get some rest, and the symptoms will pass.