What is cocoa butter and how is it made?
Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat obtained from the seeds of the cocoa tree (cocoa beans) contained in the cocoa pod. The cocoa pod is a large, pumpkin-shaped fruit; inside the pod there are 30 to 40 cocoa seeds.
First, the cocoa beans are fermented, then dried in the sun. Later, the cocoa beans are shelled, crushed ( broken cocoa beans ) and ground to a uniform cocoa mass . Finally, the cocoa mass is pressed, filtered and the cocoa butter is separated. The remaining product after pressing the cocoa butter is cocoa powder .
Consistency
Cocoa butter has a firm consistency, a white to yellowish color, and a characteristic pleasant chocolate smell. The melting point of cocoa butter is 32˚C – 35˚C.
Where is cocoa butter used?
Used in food production, confectionery (it is the main ingredient in chocolate), cocoa butter is also indispensable in cosmetics (in the production of soaps, creams, lip balms, etc.).
Cocoa butter is good for baking!
The main criterion for determining whether a particular fat is suitable for heating is its structure. In short, fats are classified as stable, unstable, and intermediate in terms of stability. One of the biggest advantages of cocoa butter is that it is a “stable” fat, meaning that it breaks down much more slowly when heated than other fats. Unlike more delicate fat sources, such as those rich in polyunsaturated fats (such as vegetable oil) or monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil), saturated fats easily retain their nutrients and chemical composition even when heated and used in cooking. Therefore, even when cocoa butter is heated to high temperatures, many of the benefits of butter, such as its antioxidants, are retained.
Dishes with cocoa butter
I suggest you try cocoa butter not only in sweet baked goods. Cocoa butter is suitable for frying various vegetables, fish or meat. Just don't be afraid to experiment and discover new flavors and dishes!
Cocoa butter is great for confectionery because it adds a chocolatey aroma and a soft, smooth texture. Cocoa butter can also be used instead of gelatin because it gives the cake a creamy consistency.
Here are some recipes:
Nut bars
You will need:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup of mixed nuts
- 3/4 cup dates
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- A pinch of salt
Production process:
Melt the cocoa butter over low heat.
Place the dates, a pinch of salt, and melted cocoa butter in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Bake the nuts and oatmeal in the oven at 180C for about 15 minutes. After removing the nuts and oatmeal from the oven, immediately mix them with the cocoa and date mixture.
Once everything is thoroughly mixed, pour the mixture into a square dish/baking dish lined with baking paper. Press the bar shape firmly and evenly with your hands so that there are no air gaps.
Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up, then remove and cut into desired size pieces.
Cocoa butter in cosmetics
Cocoa butter is also one of the main ingredients in natural cosmetics (you can often find it in body lotions, creams, or lip balms).
More and more people are discovering ways to make their own favorite cream or lotion. Cocoa butter can be combined with various natural additives, such as coconut, almond oils, or vitamin E. Cocoa butter is also suitable for facial care, so you can find great recipes online for your skin type.
We also suggest you make a homemade body cream:
You will need:
- 1 cup natural cocoa butter
- ½ cup avocado oil (you can also choose, for example, almond oil, just make sure that the oil does not have a very strong smell, otherwise it may overshadow the chocolatey smell of the cocoa butter).
Tools:
- Airtight glass container
- Electric whisk
- A bowl for melting cocoa butter
Prepare a water bath, when the water from the bottom of the bowl boils, add the cocoa butter and pour in the avocado oil. Once everything is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and place in the refrigerator for about an hour. The cooled mixture should be soft; if it hardens too much, let it warm up to room temperature a little. Mix with an electric mixer for 3-4 minutes until the cream becomes light and fluffy.
Pour the homemade cream into a clean jar and enjoy!
Benefits of cocoa butter
This 100% plant-based fat is a great product for those on a plant-based diet or who are trying to incorporate more healthy, saturated fats into their diet. It is full of fatty acids like oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, which help fight free radicals.
100 g of cocoa butter contains 32.9% monounsaturated fat, 3% polyunsaturated fat, and 59.7% saturated fat.
The antioxidants in cocoa help nourish skin and condition hair, neutralize free radicals, and protect against signs of aging and environmental stress.
So don't be afraid to experiment and include cocoa butter in your daily rituals, which can enrich you both from the outside and from the inside.