I have made a decision about Cacao, the raw unrefined form of chocolate which I love so much. Put simply: go for the whole bean!
I started by eating or trying to grind nibs, pieces of the actual bean. This provides the raw bean experience, but with a lot of labor.Next, I used powders a lot. These have a big advantage when it comes to usability and versatility, but the consumer does not know how much refinement went into the product. Additionally, the powder has the fats of the bean removed. Still, the raw powder provides a satisfactory experience. Nevertheless, it does not provide the whole bean.
At some point, I tried Cacao Paste, from Nuts Online. This provides the raw full bean, but in an easy to use form. I used it for a time, went back to the powder when they came out with a raw form, and after evaluating everything I have decided to return to the paste, and to the full bean. You can have a lot of fun with the powder, and I honor it, but something just feels so right about using the full bean.
I have to also credit Taza Chocolate for getting me to notice the difference, since I noticed it when trying their discs after using the powder for a while. I totally love Taza as well, they make the real deal if you want something convenient. Of course, you will pay a little more for the labor and love that goes into them. If you want something economical, go for the cacao paste. Whatever you choose, go for the whole bean!
Working with the ground whole bean gives a different experience. The increased fat means that you should whisk it very well while making it, and even a little after it has dissolved. That brings me to the most wonderful part, especially if you enjoy making a cacao drink. The solid cacao dissolves as soon as the water reaches the proper temperature. This makes it very easy to make the perfect cup. It also makes it the most blind-friendly and accessible solution!
The whole bean tastes and feels better. It has a fuller taste, more akin to a fine wine or something even better. My skin gets a special feel, as if turning to bronze. Weeeee! Oh yes, I love the full bean! Minimal refinement also means a full-featured feeling and a foamy cup. You may want to keep a spoon handy to stir it as you drink it.
In conclusion, if you want to try this wonderful thing called Cacao, the raw unrefined form of chocolate, get something that gives you the full bean. This includes cacao paste from Nuts Online, discs from Taza Chocolate, or just crunch on some nibs. If you didn’t understand a word of this entry, search for Cacao on this blog or elsewhere, and learn about this wonderful thing. Don’t just equate cacao and chocolate, because chocolate doesn’t give you a buzz!
