***This post is part of the Food Ingredients You Need to Know Series. In case you didn’t know, this blog, Living Free Health and Life, is the new and improved Allergy Free Test Kitchen.
Cacao nibs! You got to have these in your pantry!
What are they? They are crushed pieces of the cacao bean…aka cocoa bean. Cocao beans are harvested, dried, fermented, and then cracked into these little pieces. And you can find them raw or roasted.
What do they taste like? I’m not going to lie…most people say they have a rich, chocolatey flavor. I don’t agree. If eating plain, straight from the container, they taste like bitter baking chocolate, though not quite as bad.
So why eat them?
- Cacao Nibs add crunch to foods you add them to
- They do add a hint of chocolatey goodness when mixed with other ingredients
- Nibs are a good source of fiber (most people don’t get enough)
- They are rich in calcium (got to love a food source of that)
- Cacao nibs have no sugar
- Nibs are high in antioxidants
- May help control blood sugar levels
- Are anti-inflammatory and help with immune system function
- To top it off…they are naturally gluten, dairy, and soy free (allergy free really)
- A healthy superfood
- They work with many lifestyle eating plans
How to use them?
- Top off your smoothie bowl or coconut milk yogurt with them to add crunch
- Put in your oatmeal or smoothie
- Top your banana ice cream or dairy free ice cream with them
- Bake with them
- Put them in your homemade trail mix
I loved the Trader Joe’s roasted ones, but they do not carry them anymore. (Why do stores do that?) I have also purchased this brand.
Do you use cacao nibs? How so?
Please remember to share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Are cacao nibs corn-free?
Yes, the ones I buy are. They are usually just the one ingredient.