Questions about cocoa powder?

Questions and Answers

What is cocoa?

Cocoa refers to the raw material used in the production of chocolate. It is extracted from the seeds/beans of the cocoa tree.

What is cocoa powder?

Cocoa powder is the dry powder obtained by cleaning, roasting, grinding and pressing out the fat (cocoa butter) of cocoa beans.

How is cocoa powder produced?

Cocoa powder is produced by roasting cocoa beans, grinding them and then pressing them to separate the cocoa butter. The remaining powder is what we know as cocoa powder. See also our 'Good to know' page with the production flowchart.

Is cocoa powder healthy?

Yes, cocoa powder is a source of magnesium, among other things. Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of strong bones, a normal energy metabolism and a normal functioning of the nervous system.

Is cocoa powder gluten-free?

Yes, cocoa powder is naturally gluten-free. However, be aware of added ingredients in some cocoa products that may contain gluten.

How does the taste of cocoa mass differ from cocoa powder?

Cocoa mass has a slightly sour and intensely bitter taste, while cocoa powder contains less fat and has a more concentrated, deeper chocolate flavour.

How do you store cocoa powder?

Store cocoa powder in a sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, moisture and strong odours. Use dry spoons and check the expiration date regularly.

Why is our cocoa powder called natural?

Natural means that our cocoa powder is NOT alkalized, we have kept it as pure as possible. Alkalization is a treatment with an alkaline, in this case potassium carbonate. By reacting with this additive, you can increase the PH value of the powder somewhat. This brings out the cocoa flavor a bit more compared to the fruity flavors that you taste in natural powders. Alkalized powder is also easier to dissolve in liquids. In the larger chocolate industry, this is often used to create a more stable cocoa flavor.

Heating cocoa?

Cocoa can be heated up to a maximum of 90°C. But
even more importantly, do not heat the cocoa for too long or let it boil.
In our 'How to Make' video (link to How to Make) we do a little bit
hot water on the powder, mix well (with our frother or another whisk)
/ fork) and then the frothed milk on this mixture. If you put it in a
heat up the pan, make sure you do not let the cocoa drink boil and do not overheat it.
heated for a long time.

And why not?

Cocoa is packed with antioxidants and these are lost if the cocoa gets too hot or is heated for too long.

What does cocoa do for health?

Questions and Answers

Heart health

Flavonols from cocoa help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood circulation.

Mood and endorphins

Cocoa contains substances such as phenylethylamine, which is known as the “love hormone.”

Brainpower boost

Magnesium contributes to learning performance/ability.

Natural energy booster

Cacao contains a small amount of caffeine and theobromine, stimulants that can contribute to a natural energy boost without the sharp peaks and valleys often associated with other sources of caffeine.

Happiness hormone in chocolate

Cocoa contains tryptophan, an amino acid involved in the production of serotonin, the "happiness hormone".

Does our Kakaw Spirit cocoa blends contain theobromine?

Although caffeine is present in small amounts in cocoa, theobromine is the main active ingredient. Theobromine is known for its milder energy that lasts longer and does not lead to the typical dip after drinking coffee (caffeine). Compared to caffeine, cocoa powder offers a more calm and clear energy. More and more people are switching from coffee to cocoa due to the desire to reduce their caffeine intake and because of cocoa's valued effects.

The Goddess Blend – Cacao Powder, Collagen and Acerola Powder.

Questions and Answers

What is collagen?

Collagen is a very important structural protein, which
gives firmness to the body and skin. We have this substance in our
bones, tendons, hair and nails, but also in our skin. Collagen comes from
the Greek 'kolla', which means to bind together or glue. It holds organs and
tissues, as it were, in their place.

What happens to your collagen as you age?

Collagen and the substance
elastin are a kind of pillars that keep the skin firm. If those pillars
fall over, you get wrinkles. This breakdown can be caused by, among other things,
aging, smoking, sun, sugars (glycation) and air pollution... Your body
can not only break down collagen, it also produces this substance – even if you
are older. But unfortunately, in the long run, the breakdown of collagen is faster than
the creation.

How Much Collagen Should You Take?

You already see effects in studies
at low intakes: 1, 2.5, 5 or 10 grams per day, also for the skin. That amount
is therefore just fine: I would not recommend more than 15 grams of collagen per day.

Does it really help to swallow/take collagen?

Can a collagen supplement
help against the breakdown of collagen? The scientific studies
seem promising. For example, it shows that if you use collagen
supplements, so that the skin shows fewer wrinkles, is more elastic and more hydrated
It has also been shown in another study that taking collagen
increases collagen in the skin. But I must say: a lot
of those studies were sponsored by companies that sell collagen. But you
can also state that otherwise there would have been no research.

What kind of collagen is in the Goddess blend?

We use bovine collagen.

What is hydrolyzed collagen?

On the packaging of collagen
often says it is hydrolyzed. The Goddess blend also contains hydrolyzed
bovine collagen. How does that work exactly? The process goes like this: first
the collagen is denatured. It is then heated on a
temperature of more than 40 degrees; this causes the protein structures that
are separated from each other. The collagen then gets a different
structure. Actually comparable to frying an egg: the egg white colors
then from transparent to white. After denaturation, the producer hydrolyzes the
collagen. Enzymes are then added that break down the collagen into
smaller proteins: peptides and dipeptides.

Is the Goddess blend suitable for a vegetarian/vegan diet?

Because we use bovine collagen it is not suitable for vegetarians
/ vegan diet.

What is Acerola and why did you add it?

Acerola is a cherry-like fruit that grows in
(sub)tropical areas, including Central and South America and Southeast Asia.
You can eat the fruit right after picking it, or make lemonade and juice from it. Woj
use the dried fruit in powder form.

Acerola contains a large amount of vitamin C. With
100 grams of acerola provides you with 1864% of your daily recommended intake
amount of vitamin C in! This impressive percentage of vitamin C is the
main reason the acerola cherry is used for supplements. Besides
that acerola contains vitamin C, it is also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants
are good for fighting free radicals in our body.

Vitamin C promotes the functioning of Collagen and the
absorption into our body hence we have this powerful berry
added to the Goddess blend.

Shipping & Returns

Questions and Answers

What are the shipping costs?

The costs in the Netherlands are 4.25 euros, above 50 euros they are free.

What are the delivery times?

We aim to dispatch your order within 1 working day.

Can I return my order?

If you accidentally ordered the wrong package or flavor, you can return it as long as the package is closed. Send an email to hello@kakawspirit.com with your request.

Kan ik een abbonement op de cacao van Kakaw Spirit nemen?

Dat is mogelijk. Op de pagina’s van de cacao blends is er een keuze voor een eenmalige aankoop of voor een abonnement. De cacao word dan wekelijks of maandelijks bij jouw in de brievenbus thuis bezorgd. Zonder hier over na te hoeven denken.
Zorgeloos jouw cacao in huis met een flinke korting. Je kunt je abonnementen op elk moment aanpassen of annuleren. Er zijn geen verplichtingen. Abonnementen worden automatisch verlengd.