Vegan Diet And Cacao: What's The Verdict?

Cacao is the primary ingredient in chocolate and is made from the beans of the cacao tree. Cacao beans are harvested, fermented, dried, roasted, and ground into a paste to make chocolate. Cacao is entirely plant-based, and chocolate made from it can be vegan, but it depends on the other ingredients used. Commercial chocolates often contain additives that are not vegan-friendly, such as milk and dairy products. To ensure that chocolate is vegan-friendly, it is important to read the labels and check for ingredients and additives that are not suitable for vegans.

Cacao is the primary ingredient of chocolate and is entirely plant-based

The process of making chocolate begins with scooping out the seeds, along with the pulp, from the cacao pod. This is then fermented to develop the characteristic chocolate flavour. After fermenting, the seeds are dried in the sun, blended, and roasted at high temperatures. The seeds are then cracked and passed through sieves to remove the shells, leaving only the nibs. The nibs are then crushed between large steel discs, producing enough heat to liquefy the fat content of the seeds. This resulting fluid, known as chocolate liquor or paste, is poured into moulds to solidify. Commercial chocolate is then blended with sugar and flavourings.

The cacao tree produces a food packed with healing and nutritious properties. The scientific name given to this plant, Theobroma Cacao, translates as 'food of the gods'. The bean was even used as currency by the Aztecs and Mayans, who regarded it as sacred, magical, and divine.

Cacao is a great source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonols, catechins, and epicatechins. It is also a good source of magnesium, chromium, zinc, manganese, and iron. Regular consumption of cacao can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure. In addition, cacao increases levels of neurotransmitters that promote a sense of well-being and relaxation, such as serotonin and phenylethylamine.

While cacao is inherently vegan, many commercial chocolates contain additives that are not vegan-friendly. Dairy is a common additive, particularly in milk and white chocolates, and other non-vegan ingredients such as whey, casein, shellac, and refined sugar may also be present. Therefore, it is important for vegans to carefully check the labels of chocolate products to ensure they are free from animal-derived products.

Cacao beans are harvested from the cacao tree, dried, roasted, and ground into a paste

Cacao beans are harvested from the cacao tree, which is native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. The cacao tree was first domesticated at least 5,300 years ago by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture in South America before it was introduced in Mesoamerica. Today, West Africa produces nearly 81% of the world's crop.

The cacao tree produces a fruit called a cacao pod, which contains seeds known as cacao beans and a white flesh that can be eaten or made into juice. The pods are carefully hand-picked with a machete or a specialised knife, as they ripen at different times and grow in clusters. The ripe pods are then cut open, and the seeds, along with the pulp, are scooped out and fermented. This is an essential step in developing the characteristic chocolate flavour, which is further enhanced during the roasting or sun-drying stage.

After fermenting, the seeds are laid out in the sun to dry. They are spread out in thin layers to ensure that fermentation stops immediately. The drying process usually takes several days, and the beans are brought under shelter during adverse weather conditions. If the beans dry too quickly, they may develop a sour flavour due to trapped acids. On the other hand, if they dry too slowly, they may become mouldy or develop off-flavours.

Once the beans have reached the ideal moisture level of around 7%, they are ready to be roasted. Roasting takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the desired intensity of the flavour and whether the chocolate is for commercial or raw consumption. After roasting, the seeds are cracked, and the shells are removed, leaving only the nibs. Finally, the nibs are crushed and ground into a paste known as chocolate liquor or cocoa paste.

Cacao butter is derived from cacao beans and is entirely plant-based

Cacao beans are the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree, which is native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Central and South America. The cacao tree bears a fruit called a cacao pod, which contains seeds known as cacao beans and white flesh that can be eaten or made into juice. The beans are what is used to make chocolate and all its products.

Cacao butter is derived from these cacao beans. It is a type of fat that comes from the cacao beans. To extract the cacao butter, the beans are harvested from the cacao pods, cleaned, roasted, stripped from their shells, and crushed into nibs. These nibs are then ground into a liquid known as cocoa liquor. This liquid is then pressed to separate the fat, which is cacao butter. The remnants are processed into cocoa powder, meaning the whole cacao pod is utilised.

Cacao butter is also known as cocoa butter. Despite the name, it contains no butter or dairy. It is a naturally occurring plant-based fat. It is creamy, buttery, pale yellow, and has a silky texture and a mild chocolate aroma. It is solid at room temperature but melts close to body temperature.

Cacao butter is entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly. It is dairy-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

Cacao powder is vegan but may contain non-vegan additives

Cacao powder is vegan, but it may contain non-vegan additives. Cacao powder is made from cacao beans, which are the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree. The beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and ground into a paste or powder. This process produces a product that is inherently plant-based and vegan-friendly.

However, when cacao powder is used in certain products, it may be combined with non-vegan ingredients. For example, when making chocolate, cacao powder is typically blended with sugar and flavourings, some of which may not be vegan. Additionally, some chocolate manufacturers may use equipment that also processes non-vegan ingredients, which can be a concern for those following a strict vegan diet.

It is important to read the ingredient list and check for any non-vegan additives when purchasing products containing cacao powder. Some common non-vegan ingredients to look out for include milk, milk solids, milk fat, whey, casein, and shellac. If a product is labelled as "vegan" or has a "vegan" symbol, it is more likely to be free from non-vegan additives.

Furthermore, when purchasing cocoa powder, it is important to be cautious as it could contain non-vegan additives. Hot chocolate powder, in particular, is usually mixed with milk powder or other dairy products, making it unsuitable for vegans.

In summary, cacao powder itself is vegan, but it is important to be mindful of any additional ingredients or processing methods that may make it unsuitable for a vegan diet. Checking ingredient lists and looking for vegan labels or symbols can help ensure that the product is aligned with vegan dietary choices.

Dark chocolate is more likely to be vegan than milk or white chocolate

Cacao is made from the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree, which is native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Central and South America. The seeds are scooped out and fermented, sun-dried, blended, and roasted at high temperatures. The resulting fluid, known as chocolate liquor or paste, is poured into moulds and allowed to solidify. To make commercial chocolate, this is then blended with sugar and flavourings.

Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are grown on cacao trees. This means that chocolate is inherently a plant-based food. However, the process of making chocolate and the various ingredients added to create the final product complicates the question of whether chocolate is vegan.

Dark chocolate is a form of chocolate that contains a high percentage of cocoa and cocoa butter and usually has no milk in it whatsoever. It is the darkest in appearance compared to milk and white chocolate. The main ingredients of dark chocolate include cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. Typically, dark chocolate is 50–90% cocoa solids, with sugar content being significantly lower than in milk or white chocolate.

Milk chocolate, on the other hand, is a form of solid chocolate that contains cocoa, sugar, and milk. It is the most popular type of chocolate and is a light brown colour. Milk chocolate contains lower cocoa content, typically between 10% and 40% cocoa solids, and has a smoother and creamier texture.

White chocolate is a creamy and sweet type of chocolate that does not contain cocoa solids. Instead, it is made from cocoa butter, milk solids or milk powder, sugar, and sometimes vanilla and lecithin. It is the lightest in colour, typically being a pale ivory shade.

Dark chocolate is, therefore, more likely to be vegan than milk or white chocolate due to its lower milk content or absence thereof. However, it is important to note that not all dark chocolate is vegan, as some brands may add milk or milk derivatives for flavour or texture. To be sure, it is best to check the ingredient list and look for labels that specifically state "vegan".

Frequently asked questions