What is the difference between chocolate and cocoa?

I remember when I found out that one of my friends is allergic to chocolate and uses cocoa instead; Are these two different? It was then that my past beliefs about this delicious world were suddenly shattered and I realized how little I know about my favorite food. You, who are reading this text now, have probably gone through a similar experience to me and now you want to know more about the difference between chocolate and cocoa. So it is better not to waste more time; Forward to chocolate and beyond!

In this article, we are going to introduce you the difference between chocolate and cocoa. We also explain when it is better to use chocolate and when to use cocoa. Follow us with this article to introduce you to the properties of dark chocolate and cocoa

The difference between chocolate powder and cocoa powder
Cocoa powder is obtained by processing and then grinding the beans of the cocoa tree at high temperature, in one of the main stages of this process, almost all of its oil (known as cocoa butter) is removed from it so that the final product remains completely natural.

On the other hand, chocolate powder is the last product of cocoa beans, which is created after turning into cocoa powder, by adding cocoa butter along with other additives such as sugar and milk. After obtaining the chocolate powder, it is used in the production of all kinds of chocolate.

Comparing the two, it can be said that cocoa powder has a more bitter taste than chocolate due to the lack of cocoa butter and sugar and cannot compete with its captivating sweetness. But at the same time, it is a healthier product, and despite the fact that it has far less fat and calories, it is full of antioxidants.

The difference between dark chocolate and cocoa
Dark chocolate is one of the types of chocolate, which compared to other chocolates; It has less sugar, butter, cocoa and milk and instead contains a higher percentage of cocoa.

Probably, seeing some dark chocolates and the percentages on them, you are curious to know more about them. These percentages are the amount of cocoa in that product. For example, if you see a 70% chocolate bar, 70% of it is pure cocoa and the rest is made up of additives such as sugar and cocoa butter. So the difference between dark chocolate and cocoa is in these percentages and additives.

What is raw cocoa (bitter) and how is it different from dark chocolate?
Bitter cocoa, like the mentioned products, is made from the seeds of the cocoa tree, but with a big difference! There is no mention of high temperature processing in the way it is made. On the contrary, it is created during a cold press and since it is not exposed to high temperature, it retains many of its useful food sources and is considered a superfood in a way.

The difference between dark chocolate and bitter cocoa also originates from this issue. In the final summary, raw cocoa is considered the healthiest product, although it is very rare and relatively expensive. For this reason, dark chocolate is a more accessible option. So, if you are interested in consuming a healthier product than regular chocolates, getting to know the properties of dark chocolate can make you a loyal customer.

When should we use chocolate or cocoa?
Perhaps one of the concerns of us sweets and chocolate lovers is whether to use chocolate or cocoa in baking and making various cakes and desserts. Well, the answer to this question can be different according to people's taste, but we have some suggestions for you.

In creamy desserts, chocolate is usually a better option

The presence of cocoa butter in chocolate gives the texture of your dessert that special elegance that is needed. In desserts such as mousses and puddings, the melting of cocoa butter in your mouth can create a wonderful experience for you.

In cakes, chocolate and cocoa represent two different experiences

Cocoa cakes usually offer a stronger chocolate flavor because the natural cocoa flavor is preserved more with less sugar and butter. On the other hand, chocolate cakes are sweeter, and in special cases such as brownies, which need more sweetness and fat than the real taste of cocoa, chocolate can be a much better option.

Conclusion
We know that cocoa and chocolate are different from each other despite the fact that they have a common root, and the biggest difference between them comes back to chocolate additives. Although cocoa is better than chocolate in terms of many antioxidants and other rich sources, it is not popular among the general public due to its bitter taste. Chocolate, with its buttery texture and intoxicating sweetness, is considered one of the most consumed foods in the world, and many of us are even addicted to it.

In the meantime, dark chocolate, which is closer to the properties of cocoa due to its higher cocoa content than normal chocolate, and has fewer disadvantages due to its fewer additives, can be a very suitable option for consumers. In any case, by managing the consumption of chocolate and alternately using cocoa instead of it in some situations, you can benefit from the pleasures of this delicious family and adopt a healthier diet. Finally, the world is too short to deprive ourselves of such charms.

 

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