Raw chocolate facts for kids
Raw chocolate is a special kind of chocolate made mostly from cocoa beans that have not been roasted. Roasting is usually a big part of making chocolate, but for raw chocolate, the beans are kept at a low temperature. This helps to keep more of their natural goodness.
Often, raw chocolate does not contain dairy products like milk. Instead of regular sugar, makers might use other natural sweeteners. These can include coconut sugar, coconut nectar, xylitol, agave nectar, maple syrup, or stevia. This makes raw chocolate a popular choice for people looking for different ingredients.
Why Raw Chocolate is Popular
Raw chocolate is becoming more and more popular in the world of sweets. Many people are interested in it because it's often made in smaller amounts by special companies.
Some people believe that raw chocolate has more healthy nutrients than regular chocolate. This is because it's made without high heat. The low-heat process, sometimes called "cold" production, might help to protect the antioxidants that are naturally found in cocoa beans. Antioxidants are good for your body because they help protect your cells.
Many companies that make raw chocolate also make sure it is organic. This means it's grown without certain chemicals. They also often make it fairly-traded. This means the farmers who grow the cocoa beans get a fair price for their hard work.