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Cacao Nibs

A small pile of cacao nibs

Cacao Nibs

We use the delicious taste of Peruvian Criollo cacao nibs in our chocolate.
Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which grow in pods – the fruits of the Theobroma Cacao tree. Coined by the Aztecs as ‘the Food of the Gods’. The nibs are the small, broken up pieces of cacao bean, which have a strong, bitter, chocolatey taste to them.
“Criollo” cacao is a special, ancient heritage variety; “Criolla” translated from Spanish is “native” or “original variety”. Whereas most modern varieties of cacao have been bred to have high yielding, disease tolerant crops at the expense of taste, Criolla cacao has a very rich, deep, complex flavour.
Our chocolate bars will take you on an exquisite and deliciously detailed journey of flavours. This begins from the moment you put a piece in your mouth, through the time it takes to slowly melt the chocolate fully on your tongue, and continues on, even after the chocolate has fully melted and long gone.
Ridiculously rich in antioxidants, cacao can help reduce inflammation and prevent many diseases. In fact, cacao has been linked to feeling less stressed, increased blood flow, heightened moods and even improved physical performance . All thanks to its high antioxidant, theobromine, phenethylamine, anandamide and tryptophan content.
Theobromine is a great caffeine alternative that can provide a much-needed mood boost. Unlike caffeine, theobromine doesn't stimulate your Central Nervous System (CNS), this means that you won't get any jitters or shakes from it. It's a handy little compound that can help your sleep, brain function and heart health. Definitely a helpful hidden dynamo in our chocolate.
Phenethylamine (PEA) is another one of the advantageous compounds in chocolate that is thought to have a positive, anti-depressive effect when consumed. Often coined as the chemical of love, it isn't uncommon to feel euphoric and giddy after coming into contact with PEA. So, if you're in the mood for a mood boost, grab a bar of our chocolate!
Anandamide can be found in small amounts inside chocolate, it is essentially a neurotransmitter inside your brain that targets the same areas as THC. But, don't panic, this natural stimulant only positively stimulates your body to perform at its best in a healthy way. No negative side-effects here!
Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a key chemical in producing feels of joy and happiness. It also assists in the production of melatonin, so keeping a bar of your favourite chocolate bar close by could even help you drift off to sleep at night. Tryptophan is a real help for both lifting your mood AND helping you get forty winks!
Cacao nibs are also a good source of minerals, especially magnesium. Magnesium is an important nutrient that helps to keep our blood pressure levels low and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cacao also contains iron, calcium, zinc and copper which all aid in promoting healthy bones by strengthening them against breaks or fractures. In fact cacao is one of the best plant based sources of iron!
Thanks to cacao, you no longer need to worry about your heart or your bones because they're getting a big boost of nutrients from this superfood!
Cacao nibs in a bowl with a large spoon
Anandamide can be found in small amounts inside chocolate, it is essentially a neurotransmitter inside your brain that targets the same areas as THC. But, don't panic, this natural stimulant only positively stimulates your body to perform at its best in a healthy way. No negative side-effects here!
Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a key chemical in producing feels of joy and happiness. It also assists in the production of melatonin, so keeping a bar of your favourite chocolate bar close by could even help you drift off to sleep at night. Tryptophan is a real help for both lifting your mood AND helping you get forty winks!
Cacao nibs are also a good source of minerals, especially magnesium. Magnesium is an important nutrient that helps to keep our blood pressure levels low and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cacao also contains iron, calcium, zinc and copper which all aid in promoting healthy bones by strengthening them against breaks or fractures. In fact cacao is one of the best plant based sources of iron!
Thanks to cacao, you no longer need to worry about your heart or your bones because they're getting a big boost of nutrients from this superfood!
A farmer opening a cacao pod to show the beans inside
A farmer cracking open a cacao bean to show the inside
Cacao nibs in a bowl with a large spoon